Researchers in Okayama University find that Ca2+ channel blockers do not affect myocardial contractility
June 25, 2013
Researchers in the Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences have found that azelnidipine and amlodipine, Ca2+ channel blockers, did not affect myocardial contractility on a single cell.
The findings were published in the journal European Journal of Pharmacology on May 30, 2013.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014299913004378
The findings could lead to the development of a safe and effective anti-hypertensive drug/therapy for patients with heart problems.
K. Naruse, G. Iribe and their colleagues in the Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences have investigated the effects of Ca2+ channel blockers on single mechanics. Mouse cardiomyocytes were enzymatically isolated, and a pair of carbon fibers was attached to opposite cell-ends to stretch the cells. Cells were paced at 4Hz superfused in normal Tyrode solution at 37℃. Cell length and active/passive force calculated from carbon fiber bending were recorded in 6 different preload conditions. Slopes of end-systolic force-length relation curves (Maximum elastance) were measured as an index of contractility before and after drugs were administered. Azelnidipine at 10nM and 100nM did not change maximum elastance. In addition, the combination of another anti-hypertensive drug such as olmesartan and either amlidipine (10nM) or azelnidipine (10nM) did not affect maximum elastance. Both drugs can be used safely at therapeutically relevant concentrations even in combination with olmesartan.
The results could contribute to the development of an effective combination therapy for hypertension and a safe administration for hypertensive patients with high risk of heart diseases.
The study was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)[# 23300167, #22136008, #22240056] and Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited.
Contact Information:
Mototaka Senda, Ph.D.
US Representative
Intellectual Property Office, Organization for Research Promotion and Collaboration
Okayama University
US Representative, Fremont, California USA
TEL: 1-510-797-0907
Email: takasenda@okayama-u.ac.jp
Gentaro Iribe,
Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan