This study examined the effects of different types of calcium channel antagonists on renal haemodynamics and natriuresis. The intravenous infusion of nifedipine (L-type blocker), efonidipine (L/T-type blocker) or mibefradil (predominant T-type blocker) into anaesthetized dogs elicited similar, albeit modest, reductions in blood pressure. Nifedipine (1 microgram.min(-1).kg(-1)) increased renal p...

Experiments using muscarinic receptor antagonists were done to determine which muscarinic receptor subtypes(s) mediate carbachol-evoked calcium release in N1E-115 cells. McN-A-343 and a new analog, (+/-)BN228, were weak antagonists and neither compound caused release on its own. The rank order of potency was 4-DAMP greater than pirenzepine greater than AFDX116 greater than (+/-)BN228 and McN-A-...

BACKGROUND Numerous studies suggest that the dihydropyridine calcium antagonists (DCAs) and nondihydropyridine calcium antagonists (NDCAs) have differential antiproteinuric effects. Proteinuria reduction is a correlate of the progression of renal disease. In an earlier systematic review, calcium antagonists were shown as effective antihypertensive drugs, but there was uncertainty about their re...

L-Leucine is known to stimulate protein synthesis in L6 myotubes. In the present study, we examined the possible involvement of calcium signaling pathways in the stimulation of protein synthesis induced by L-leucine in L6 myotubes. After 16 h of treatment with L-leucine-depleted medium, the re-addition of L-leucine for 4 h augmented protein synthesis by about 50% as compared with an L-leucine-d...

The involvement of Ca2+ in the mechanism of the purgative action of rhein anthrone was studied. Among individual or combination pretreatments with calcium channel blockers, calmodulin antagonists and prostaglandin biosynthesis inhibitors, the combination of indomethacin and nifedipine completely blocked the diarrhoea induced by rhein anthrone and also inhibited its effects on colonic fluid and ...

In several tissues, transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channels are involved in the response to hyposmotic challenge. Here we report TRPV4 protein in porcine lens epithelium and show that TRPV4 activation is an important step in the response of the lens to hyposmotic stress. Hyposmotic solution (200 mosM) elicited ATP release from intact lenses and TRPV4 antagonists HC 067047 and ...

chest pain group. 3) Effective treatment: The efficacy of three standard antianginal drugs on silent myocardial ischemia was studied in 43 patients with EA using Holter monitoring. Antianginal drugs used were long-acting isosorbide dinitrate 40-80 mg/day for nitrates (17 patients), diltiazem 90-180 mg/day for calcium antagonists (13 patients), propranolol 30-60 mg/day or metoprolol 60-120 mg/da...

The vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1) is a ligand-gated, nonselective cation channel important for the sensory processing of painful stimuli. Activation of VR1 leads to increases in intracellular concentrations of calcium and sodium. Prolonged activation of VR1 in mammalian expression systems leads to cell death. The mechanism of VR1-mediated toxicity may have relevance to pathophysiological processes...

Hypertension and diabetes co-exist more commonly than would be expected from their individual prevalences. Elevated blood pressure is most commonly due to coexisting essential hypertension, or diabetic renal disease. Early stages of diabetic renal disease can be identified by detecting microalbuminuria. Standard measures of blood pressure are not necessarily raised, but 24-hour ambulatory measu...

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Despite more than 30 years of research, no pharmacological agents have been identified that improve neurological function following TBI. However, several lines of research described in this review provide support for further development of voltage gated calcium channel (VGCC) antagonists as potential t...