title: Electrochemical evidence that lacidipine stimulates release of nitrogen monoxide in rat aorta.
abstract: Dihidropyridines (DHPs) such as amlodipine, lercanidipine and lacidipine, are compounds capable of vascular protection via their calcium antagonist activity. In addition, they present vascular dilatation function, which has been related to an anti endothelin efficacy, particularly for lacidipine. Recent works have suggested that DHPs modulate vascular relaxation via increase in the release of nitrogen monoxide (NO). Using voltammetry with selective biosensors the present experiments performed in rat aortic rings demonstrate the capability of DHPs to implement endothelial NO at 'useful' and not toxic nanomolar levels, with a maximum efficacy for lacidipine. This activity joins the already described positive effects of these compounds upon vascular functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, GlaxoWellcome S.p.A., Medicine Research Centre, Via A. Fleming 4, 37135, Verona, Italy. fc20377@ggr.co.uk
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Crespi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vecchiato
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lazzarini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gaviraghi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D008839:Microelectrodes; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004095:Dihydropyridines; C060285:lacidipine; D009569:Nitric Oxide