LACIDIPINE - PREVENTION OF VASCULAR DAMAGE INDUCED BY HYPERTENSION

Lacidipine is a long-lasting 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium antagonist that has been reported to protect salt-loaded Dahl-S rats from vascular damage and accelerated mortality when it is administered prophylactically at 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg p.o. once a day (equivalent to the recommended dose in humans). The aim of this study was to investigate the vasoprotective properties of lacidipine in Dahl-S rats that had already developed sustained hypertension after 4 weeks of a salt-rich diet. Although none of the dosages of lacidipine (0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg) reduced the elevated values of blood pressure, an almost complete protection from mortality was obtained. Moreover, lacidipine dose-dependently inhibited the development of macroscopic and microscopic alterations in the distal branches of mesenteric arteries and in the brain. A clear regression of vascular damage and cardiac hypertrophy was observed at the highest dose tested (3 mg/kg). These findings further support the assumption that the protective properties of lacidipine are not restricted to a reduction in blood pressure.