Calcium antagonists and the renal hemodynamic response to vasoconstrictors.
These findings demonstrate that calcium antagonists reverse renal vasoconstriction in a variety of settings. The ability of calcium antagonists to augment GFR of the vasoconstricted kidney is striking and has also been demonstrated in a number of in vivo settings. These observations and others raise the possibility that calcium antagonists have potential utility in the treatment of a number of disorders characterized by renal ischemia and consequent renal insufficiency. Further studies to evaluate this possibility are required. The unique effects of calcium antagonists on GFR reflect a regional heterogeneity within the renal microcirculation and a preferential action of calcium antagonists on the afferent arteriole. Final resolution of the pharmacological basis for the renal hemodynamic actions of calcium antagonists will require a more complete understanding of the divergent activating mechanisms within the renal microcirculation.
Loutzenhiser
R
R
Nephrology Section, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Miami, Florida 33125.
Epstein
M
M
D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents