title: Calcium antagonism: aldosterone and vascular responses to catecholamines and angiotensin II in man.
abstract: Effects of calcium antagonists on pressor mechanisms: A number of differences have been reported in the variable extent to which calcium antagonists interfere with various pressor mechanisms. In theory, high lipid solubility, membrane-binding characteristics and a prolonged duration of action appear to be requirements for a calcium antagonist to affect mechanisms such as vasodilation, endogenous vasoconstrictor responses, hormone release and natriuretic activity. Reduction in peripheral vascular resistance: A reduction in peripheral vascular resistance is fundamental to the antihypertensive effect not only of calcium antagonists but also of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists. However, only the calcium antagonists interfere directly with the pressor responses mediated by both the adrenergic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin system. Mechanism of lacidipine effects: Preliminary results with the new dihydropyridine calcium antagonist lacidipine indicate that it not only has vasodilator activity but that it also interferes with both adrenergic and non-adrenergic endogenous vasoconstrictor mechanisms. This may provide additional potentially beneficial cardiovascular effects, particularly in relation to left ventricular hypertrophy and dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Gardiner Institute, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Elliott
mesh_terms: D000450:Aldosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects*; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004095:Dihydropyridines; D000804:Angiotensin II; C060285:lacidipine; D000450:Aldosterone; D009638:Norepinephrine