title: Inhibition of cholesteryl ester deposition in macrophages by calcium entry blockers: an effect dissociable from calcium entry blockade.
abstract: The effects of calcium entry blockers on stimulated cholesteryl [3H]-oleate deposition in cultured macrophages were characterized in order to elucidate mechanisms underlying possible antiatherosclerotic effects. Stimulation of intracellular cholesteryl [3H]-oleate deposition was initiated by incubation of macrophages with beta-very low density lipoproteins (beta-VLDL). Nifedipine (Class I) markedly reduced cholesteryl [3H]-oleate deposition at all concentrations tested. However, Bay K 8644, a dihydropyridine which is known to stimulate calcium entry, also reduced cholesteryl [3H]-oleate deposition with a similar potency to nifedipine. The effects of three Class II calcium entry blockers were evaluated: verapamil, methoxyverapamil, and diltiazem. Verapamil inhibited cholesteryl [3H]-oleate deposition in a concentration-dependent manner. Similarly, methoxyverapamil reduced cholesteryl [3H]-oleate deposition in a concentration-dependent manner although the reduction was not as great as that produced by verapamil. In contrast, diltiazem at any concentration tested did not inhibit cholesteryl [3H]-oleate deposition. Flunarizine (a Class III calcium entry blocker) produced a modest stimulation of cholesteryl [3H]-oleate deposition at the lowest concentration used (10(-7)M) but marked depression at the highest concentration (10(-5)M). The results indicate calcium entry blockers may exert protective effects on the development of atherosclerosis in animal models of diet-induced hyperlipidaemia by inhibiting intracellular cholesteryl ester deposition, but this effect may not be related to their calcium entry-blocking effects.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000378:metabolism*; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D008074:Lipoproteins; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL