Preventive effect of vinpocetine on calcifications: atherosclerosis in experimental rabbits.
The action of vinpocetine (14-ethoxycarbonyl-(3 alpha, 16 alpha-ethyl)-14, 15 eburnamine) on calcifications in liver, kidney, and CNS tissues from cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis in 16 experimental rabbits was studied. Three of 4 groups (4 rabbits each group) feeding on a cholesterol-rich diet developed atherosclerosis after 3 months. Two of the 4 groups were also fed vinpocetine supplements and analysis by neutron activation method showed a decrease in calcium content in CNS tissues and in liver and kidney. Results suggest that vinpocetine acts to decalcify cholesterol-induced atherosclerotic lesions in these tissues.
Yasui
M
M
Division of Neurological Diseases, Wakayama Medical College, Japan.
Yano
I
I
Ota
K
K
Oshima
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000009:adverse effects; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D011817:Rabbits; D014748:Vinca Alkaloids / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008055:Lipids; D014748:Vinca Alkaloids; C013983:vinpocetine