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  • Title: [The effect of calcium channel blocker lercanidipine on lowgrade inflammation parameters in essential hypertension patients].
    Author: Shurtz-Swirski R, Farah R, Sela S, Shapiro G, Klempef R, Snitkovski T, Kristal B.
    Journal: Harefuah; 2006 Dec; 145(12):895-9, 942. PubMed ID: 17220028.
    Abstract:
    INTRODUCTION: Oxidative stress (OS), inflammation and insulin resistance are among the mechanisms that have been recently implicated in pathogenesis of essential hypertension (EH). Peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) are primed in EH patients, releasing uncontrolled superoxide anion contributing to OS and chronic low-grade inflammation in these patients. PMNL priming correlates with insulin resistance and with PMNL intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i). Recent studies have attributed additional anti-oxidative characteristics to the anti-hypertensive drug Lercanidipine (Vasodip), a third generation calcium-channel blocker. AIM: To evaluate possible novel effects of two months of Lercanidipine treatment on systemic and PMNL-related inflammation and on insulin resistance in EH patients. METHODS: Fifteen non-smoking EH patients with untreated mild to moderate high blood pressure (BP) and age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) were included in the study. Low-grade inflammation was expressed by PMNL counts and apoptosis, by plasma fibrinogen, CRP and albumin (as a negative acute phase reactant) levels. Fasting serum insulin levels served as a marker of insulin resistance. RESULTS: Inflammation parameters and insulin levels were higher in EH compared to HC. PMNL counts, fibrinogen and insulin levels positively correlated with mean arterial blood pressure values. Two months of Lercanidipine treatment showed a significant decrease in BP, PMNL counts and apoptosis, CRP and serum insulin levels and a significant increase in serum albumin levels. CONCLUSION: The authors imply that the low-grade systemic inflammation and insulin resistance detected in EH patients may be attenuated by the use of Lercanidipine, adding new unknown anti-inflammatory properties to this calcium channel blocker.
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