Diverse effects of calcium antagonists on glomerular hemodynamics

This study examined the direct effects of calcium antagonists on glomerular hemodynamics. Rabbit afferent (Af-) or efferent arterioles (Ef-Arts) were microperfused in vitro at constant pressure. Ef-Arts were perfused from the distal end of Af-Art through the glomerulus. Increasing doses (10^-10 to 10^-7 M) of nifedipine (Nif), nicardipine (Nic) or manidipine (Man) were added into the lumen of Af- or Ef-Arts preconstricted (by about 40%) with norepinephrine. Although Nif and Nic dilated Af-Arts in a dose-dependent manner, they did not cause any dilation in Ef-Arts. In contrast, Man dilated both Af- and Ef-Arts in a dose dependent manner; Man at 10^-7 M dilated Af- and Ef-Arts by 71 ± 12% (N = 7) and 38 ± 3% (N = 6), respectively. Although Man's dilator effect on Ef-Art was not affected by inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) synthesis (N = 6), it was markedly attenuated by eliminating the influence of glomerulus (14 ± 3% by Man at 10^-7 M, N = 5). These results demonstrate that in addition to dilating Af-Art, Man, but not Nif or Nic, dilates Ef-Art through a glomerulus-derived vasodilator(s) other than NO. Such diverse actions should be taken into consideration when calcium antagonists are used in the treatment of patients with cardiovascular and renal diseases.