Ineffectiveness of Ca2+-Antagonists Nicardipine and Diltiazem on Experimental Atherosclerosis in Cholesterol-fed Rabbits

Abstract

There is accumulating evidence that calcium metabolism plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The inhibitory effect of nifedipine, a Ca²-antagonist, on experimental atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits has been reported, and we examined the anti-atherosclerotic action of nicardipine and diltiazem, similar Ca²⁺-antagonists, but no inhibitory action was observed.

It is necessary to recognize the fact that the sensitivity of rabbits to an antiatherogenic diet shows great individual differences. For the purpose of preventing atherosclerosis due to the abnormality of lipid metabolism the use of Ca²⁺-antagonist is not warranted at the present stage.