Pharmacological basis for use of calcium channel antagonists in hypertension.
The major mechanism of antihypertensive action of Ca2+ channel antagonists is the inhibition of Ca2+ entry into the vascular smooth muscle cell. Ca2+ channels are stabilized by these drugs in a mode unavailable for opening. The inhibition of Ca2+ entry leads to vasodilatation and lowering of arterial pressure. The advantages of Ca2+ channel antagonists in hypertension include improvement of blood supply to vital organs, diuretic activity, coronary vasodilatation, reduction in heart size and vascular cytoprotective effect.
D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D007473:Ion Channels; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D002118:Calcium