title: Ineffectiveness of Ca2+-antagonists nicardipine and diltiazem on experimental atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits.
abstract: There is accumulating evidence that calcium metabolism plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The inhibitory effect of nifedipine, a Ca2-antagonist, on experimental atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits has been reported, and we examined the anti-atherosclerotic action of nicardipine and diltiazem, similar Ca2+-antagonists, but no inhibitory action was observed. It is necessary to recognize the fact that the sensitivity of rabbits to an anti-atherogenic diet shows great individual differences. For the purpose of preventing atherosclerosis due to the abnormality of lipid metabolism the use of Ca2+-antagonist is not warranted at the present stage.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000032:analysis; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007668:Kidney / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009529:Nicardipine; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood; D011817:Rabbits; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001552:Benzazepines; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D010743:Phospholipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D009529:Nicardipine; D004110:Diltiazem; D009543:Nifedipine; D002118:Calcium