Effect of SR 33805 on arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation and neointima formation following vascular injury

The possible activity of SR 33805 ([[N-[dimethoxy-3,4-phenethyl]-N- methylamino-propoxyl]-4-benzenesulfonyl]-2-isopropyl-3-methyl-1-in dole), a novel Ca2+ channel blocker, in early atherogenesis was investigated. In vitro, SR 33805 strongly inhibited fetal calf serum-induced proliferation of cultured human aortic smooth muscle cells with an IC50 value of 0.3 +/- 0.1 microM (n = 3). In this respect, SR 33805 was several fold more active than the reference compounds: diltiazem, verapamil, nifedipine and fantofarone. SR 33805 was also a potent inhibitor of platelet-derived growth factor- or basic fibroblast growth factor-induced proliferation of human smooth muscle cells. SR 33805 inhibited serum-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake in these cells, with an IC50 value of 47 +/- 18 nM. The effect of SR 33805 on intimal smooth muscle hyperplasia in rabbit carotid arteries subjected to air-drying endothelial injury was then investigated. After a 16-day treatment, SR 33805 (6.0 mg/kg/day p.o.) inhibited the development of intimal thickening. Under the same experimental conditions, nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem (2 x 6 mg/kg/day p.o.--16 days) and fantofarone (12 mg/kg/day p.o.--16 days) were inactive. These results show that SR 33805, a novel and potent Ca2+ channel blocker, can reduce myointimal thickening following endothelial injury.