title: [Effect of benidipine on plasma level of calcitonin gene-related peptide in essential hypertension].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the effect of benidipine, a calcium channel blocker on the plasma levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in patients with essential hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  58 outpatients with essential hypertension were treated with benidipine 4-8 mg/day for 8 weeks. 38 matched healthy people were taken as controls. The plasma levels of CGRP were measured in all patients before and after treatment and in controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The plasma levels of CGRP in hypertensive patients were significantly lower than those in controls (minimal value: 1.28 vs 39.95 ng/L; maximal value: 43.72 vs 155.59 ng/L; P <0.001). In hypertensive patients, treatment with benidipine for 2 weeks markedly decreased systolic pressure and diastolic pressure and its depressor effect was maintained during the study (P <0.05). At 8 week after treatment, the plasma levels of CGRP in hypertensive patients were significantly increased compared with those before treatment (minimal value: 2.84 vs 1.28 ng/L; maximal value: 123.99 vs 43.72 ng/L; P <0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Benidipine, a calcium channel blocker significantly decreases blood pressure concomitantly with an increase in the plasma levels of CGRP in the patients with essential hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, the Third Hospital of Peking University, Beijing 100083, China.
authors.forename: Wen-ying
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Yong-zhen
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hai-yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ming-zhe
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jing-Xuan
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000097:blood*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004095:Dihydropyridines; C061004:benidipine; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide