title: Antihypertensive and metabolic effects of verapamil: role of Na-K-ATPase and electrolytes homeostasis in male and female rats.
abstract: Calcium channel antagonists have been shown to be effective in the management of coronary vascular diseases. Although initially restricted to the treatment of angiopectoris could prevent cardiovascular complication in patients with diabetes. In view of a possible role of electrolytes in the therapeutic effects of verapamil, the present study concern effects of verapamil on serum, red cell, tissue electrolytes and Na-K-ATPase activity in both male and female rats. Verapamil (30 mg/kg body weight) was administered intraperitoneally to the test group. Control group received same volume of deionize water. A slight decreased Na-K-ATPase activity was observed in both sexes. Verapamil treatment decreases serum sodium and magnesium levels in both male and female rats. However serum potassium was slightly increased in both sexes. Verapamil treatment in red cells decreases sodium and increases potassium content in both sexes. Verapamil administration decreases sodium and calcium content in heart, liver and kidney tissues in both sexes, whereas an increased content of potassium and magnesium was observed in these tissues except liver in which the magnesium content was slightly decreased in both male and female rats. The results showed that the changes in electrolyte levels are more pronounced in female than in male rats. The results reported in the present study suggests that the drug has been shown to inhibit aldosterone biosynthesis to a variable degree. Although the antihypertensive effect of verapamil is considered to be mainly due to its vasodilation or by inhibition of vasoconstriction. It is suggested that verapamil lower blood pressure by correcting a pathophysiological derangements of electrolytes present in hypertension. The cellular mechanism involved is the altered serum, intracellular, tissue electrolytes and ATPase activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Najma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shaheen
authors.forename: Tabassum
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mahboob