title: Anti-atherosclerotic effects of calcium antagonists: a brief review.
abstract: Drugs influencing calcium metabolism in animals fed high-fat diets may modify the progression of atherosclerosis. Agents that enhance calcium transport (catecholamines, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone) may accelerate atherogenesis. Conversely, agents with calcium chelating (diphosphonic acid and thiophene carboxylic acid derivatives), calcium channel blocking (dihydropyridine derivatives, verapamil and its derivatives, diltiazem), and anti-adrenergic (beta-blockers) properties have been demonstrated to suppress atherogenesis in rabbits and monkeys. Possible mechanisms of action include lowering of arterial pressure, minor changes in circulating lipoproteins, altered receptor-dependent lipoprotein uptake and lipoprotein metabolism, inhibition of cell migration and cell proliferation, and non-specific protection of injured cells in atheromatous lesions.
authors.affiliation: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Henry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009336:Necrosis
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D008074:Lipoproteins