title: Fetal cardiovascular effects of nifedipine in rats.
abstract: In this study we clarify the fetal cardiovascular effects of nifedipine. Nifedipine was administered to near-term rats and cardiovascular morphology of the fetus was studied with a rapid whole-body freezing technique. Fetal cardiac failure was estimated by accumulation of pericardial effusion and ventricular dilatation. Dose-response study at 8 h after administration revealed that slight ventricular dilatation occurred with 0.1 mg/kg of nifedipine, and remarkable ventricular dilatation and pericardial fluid accumulation were noted with 10 mg/kg nifedipine. Time-course study with one dose of 10 mg/kg nifedipine revealed early ventricular dilatation at 1 h, peak ventricular dilatation and fluid accumulation at 8 h, and slight effects at 24 h. In conclusion, the cardiodepressive effect of nifedipine in the fetal rat was mild with the therapeutic dose, and its effects increased dose dependently.
authors: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Heart Institute of Japan, Tokyo Women's Medical College, Japan.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Momma
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Takao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000139:chemically induced; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D009543:Nifedipine