endothelin-1 and efonidipine

We studied the effects of efonidipine hydrochloride (efonidipine), a 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative, on contractions induced by high-K+ solution (high K+), serotonin (5-HT), U46619, which is a stable analog of thromboxane A2, and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in comparison with those of nifedipine and nisoldipine in porcine coronary arteries. The effects of the drugs were compared after 1- and 3-h incubations. Efonidipine, nifedipine, and nisoldipine each inhibited the contractions induced by these vasoconstrictors. The inhibition of high-K(+)- and 5-HT-induced contractions by efonidipine, but not by nifedipine and nisoldipine, increased when the incubation time was prolonged, whereas the inhibition of U46619- and ET-1-induced contractions was not altered. The potency of efonidipine on U46619- and ET-1-induced contractions was greater than that of nifedipine and equivalent to that of nisoldipine. Thus the inhibitory effect of efonidipine on U46619- and ET-1-induced contractions seems to be stronger than its effects on high-K(+)- or 5-HT-induced contractions, in contrast to the effects of other dihydropyridines. In an additional series of experiments, efonidipine did not inhibit U46619-induced contractions in Ca2(+)-free solution or in the presence of nifedipine. Moreover, efonidipine did not inhibit the specific binding of [3H]SQ 29,548, a thromboxane A2 antagonist, to porcine coronary arterial membrane. Therefore we think that the inhibitory effect of efonidipine on contractions induced by vasoconstrictors was caused by blockade of Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels. However, some unknown mechanism(s) in addition to this effect on Ca2+ channels may contribute to the effect of efonidipine on U46619- and ET-1-induced contractions.

Topics: 15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic Acid; Animals; Binding, Competitive; Calcium Channel Blockers; Coronary Vessels; Dihydropyridines; Endothelin-1; In Vitro Techniques; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Nifedipine; Nisoldipine; Nitrophenols; Organophosphorus Compounds; Potassium; Prostaglandin Endoperoxides, Synthetic; Serotonin; Swine; Thromboxane A2; Vasoconstrictor Agents

Effect of efonidipine, a long-acting dihydropyridine derivative, on the endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced coronary vasoconstriction was studied in open-chest anesthetized dogs. Efonidipine (0.03 or 0.1 mg/kg) was administered i.v. 10 min before an intracoronary injection of ET-1 (30 pmol/kg). An intracoronary injection of ET-1 decreased coronary blood flow (CBF) that was measured by a flow probe. The ET-1-induced decrease in CBF was sustained for more than 30 min without significant changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Pretreatment with efonidipine attenuated the decrease in CBF induced by ET-1 significantly and dose-dependently. ET-1 also reduced coronary diameter for more than 30 min as evaluated by the coronary angiography technique. Pretreatment with efonidipine also attenuated the reduction in coronary diameter induced by ET-1 significantly and dose-dependently. These effects of efonidipine were sustained for at least 30 min after the ET-1 administration. It is concluded that efonidipine attenuates the ET-1-induced vasoconstriction, and therefore the drug would be useful for some patients with variant angina, in which ET-1 is involved in the genesis of coronary vasoconstriction.

Topics: Animals; Blood Pressure; Calcium Channel Blockers; Coronary Angiography; Coronary Vessels; Dihydropyridines; Dogs; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endothelin-1; Female; Heart Rate; Male; Nitrophenols; Organophosphorus Compounds; Vasodilation