The calcium-channel blocker lacidipine reduces the development of atherosclerotic lesions in the apoE-deficient mouse

  • J Hypertens. 2000 Oct;18(10):1429-36. doi: 10.1097/00004872-200018100-00010.
P Cristofori  1 ,  A Lanzoni ,  M Quartaroli ,  A M Pastorino ,  C Zancanaro ,  L Cominacini ,  G Gaviraghi ,  J Turton
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Mecicines Safety Evaluation, GlaxoWellcome S.p.A, Mecicines Research Centre, Verona, Italy. [email protected]
PMID: 11057430 DOI: 10.1097/00004872-200018100-00010
Abstract

Background: Lacidipine is a widely used calcium-channel blocker, which has both long-lasting antihypertensive activity and also antioxidant properties. Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of lacidipine to reduce the development of atherosclerotic lesions in several animal models.

Objective: The present study investigated the antiatherosclerotic potential of lacidipine in the apoE-deficient mouse, an experimental model of atherosclerosis showing progressively complex and widespread lesions which closely resemble the inflammatory-fibrous plaques seen in humans.

Methods: Lacidipine was administered daily by gavage for 10 weeks at dose levels of 0 (control), 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg.

Results: Lacidipine administration reduces the extension of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta of the apoE-deficient mouse without affecting plasma lipid levels. We also show that apoE-deficient mice have four-fold higher values of the proatherogenic peptide, endothelin, compared with the wild-type C57BL/6 mouse and that lacidipine administration reduced, in a dose-dependent manner, the concentrations of plasma endothelin.

Conclusion: Lacidipine has anti-atherogenic effects in the apoE-deficient mouse, and reduces plasma endothelin concentrations.

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