Animals ; Calcium Channel Blockers* ; Calcium Channels* ; Calcium* ; Dogs* ; Hemodynamics*

PURPOSE: It is well recognized that gingival enlargement is induced by unwanted effect associated with three major drugs/drug groups - phenytoin, cyclosporine, and the calcium channel blockers. The present case report describes the effect and limitation of non-surgical treatment in gingival enlargement cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three cases included 2 drug-influenced gingival enlargement patients and a idiopathic gingival fibromatosis patient. For the drug-influenced gingival enlargement patients, the medication was replaced with other medication. And then, all the patients were treated non-surgically. RESULTS: Drug-influenced gingival enlargements had been reduced after non-surgical treatment and the results were well-maintained. In the idiopathic gingival fibromatosis case, non-surgical treatment resulted in only limited reduction of gingival enlargement, and surgical periodontal treatment was unavoidable. CONCLUSION: These case reports indicated that non-surgical periodontal treatment with change in medication was effective in the treatment of drug-influenced gingival enlargements. Non-surgical approach can be considered as the primary management to reduce the gingival enlargement. If non-surgical treatment encounters a limitation, surgical treatment should be considered
Calcium Channel Blockers ; Cyclosporine ; Fibromatosis, Gingival ; Humans ; Nifedipine ; Phenytoin

OBJECTIVE: To establish an high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of diltiazem hydrochloride injection. METHODS: The assay was conducted on a NUCLEODUR C18 column with buffer solution (pH6.2)-acetonitrile-methanol (40:30:30) as the mobile phase and the detection wavelength was 240 nm. RESULTS: Diltiazem hydrochloride and relevant substances could be separated under the condition. The linear concentration range of diltiazem hydrochloride was 4 - 200mg/L with the recovery of 100.22% (RSD = 0.37%). CONCLUSION The method may be used for the determination of diltiazem hydrochloride injection.
Calcium Channel Blockers ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Diltiazem ; analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We performed this study to compare the endothelial function of the patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension(EH) to age and sex-matched normal subjects or patients with known coronary artery disease(CAD) and to evaluate the effect of calcium channel blockers(amlodipine) on the endothelial dysfunction in patients with EH. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The endothelial function, expressed as percent brachial artery diameter changes at hyperemic phase compared to resting state, using high-resolution ultrasound was measured before taking amlodipine and 3 to 4 months after taking amlodipine(5 to 10 mg daily), when the high blood pressure(BP) was well controlled(129/83 mmHg), in patients with EH(mean age; 53 yrs, n=2). We also measured the endothelial function in normal subjects(mean age; 54 yrs, n=5) and patients with proven CAD(mean age; 56 yrs, n=0). RESULTS: The mean BP of the patients with EH, CAD, and normal subjects were 172/108 mmHg, 110/69 mmHg, and 113/72 mmHg, respectively. There were no significant differences among the study groups in regard to the serum glucose and various lipid levels. The endothelial function of the patients with EH(6.6+/-2.3%) was significantly(p=.000) lowered when compared to the normal subjects(14.3+/-3.3%), but did not show any significant differences when compared to the patients with CAD(8.6+/-3.4%). The endothelial function in patients with EH was significantly(p=.007) improved from 6.6+/-2.3 % to 11.0+/-2.7 % 3 to 4 months after taking the amlodipine. CONCLUSION: Calcium channel blockers, especially amlodipine, can improve endothelial dysfunction in patients with EH as well as controlling high BP.
Amlodipine ; Blood Glucose ; Brachial Artery ; Calcium Channel Blockers* ; Calcium Channels* ; Calcium* ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We performed this study to compare the endothelial function of the patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension(EH) to age and sex-matched normal subjects or patients with known coronary artery disease(CAD) and to evaluate the effect of calcium channel blockers(amlodipine) on the endothelial dysfunction in patients with EH. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The endothelial function, expressed as percent brachial artery diameter changes at hyperemic phase compared to resting state, using high-resolution ultrasound was measured before taking amlodipine and 3 to 4 months after taking amlodipine(5 to 10 mg daily), when the high blood pressure(BP) was well controlled(129/83 mmHg), in patients with EH(mean age; 53 yrs, n=2). We also measured the endothelial function in normal subjects(mean age; 54 yrs, n=5) and patients with proven CAD(mean age; 56 yrs, n=0). RESULTS: The mean BP of the patients with EH, CAD, and normal subjects were 172/108 mmHg, 110/69 mmHg, and 113/72 mmHg, respectively. There were no significant differences among the study groups in regard to the serum glucose and various lipid levels. The endothelial function of the patients with EH(6.6+/-2.3%) was significantly(p=.000) lowered when compared to the normal subjects(14.3+/-3.3%), but did not show any significant differences when compared to the patients with CAD(8.6+/-3.4%). The endothelial function in patients with EH was significantly(p=.007) improved from 6.6+/-2.3 % to 11.0+/-2.7 % 3 to 4 months after taking the amlodipine. CONCLUSION: Calcium channel blockers, especially amlodipine, can improve endothelial dysfunction in patients with EH as well as controlling high BP.
Amlodipine ; Blood Glucose ; Brachial Artery ; Calcium Channel Blockers* ; Calcium Channels* ; Calcium* ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Ultrasonography

Two major factors, delayed hypoperfusion and membrane failure influence the sequelae of cerebral ischemic injury. Calcium ions play a major role in both pathophysiological mechanisms. Calcium channel blockers are a logical choice for investigation as possible therapeutic agents for the treatment of cerebral ischemia. Nimodipine, a dihydropyridine derivative, is one of the most potent calcium channel blocking agent with a selective action on the intracranial vessels. The present study was designed to test the effects of nimodipine on focal cerebral ischemia in rats. At 1,2 or 6 hours after occlusion of the middle cerebral artery(MCA), rats were treated with either nimodipine or saline. Neurological and pathological evaluation was performed at 24 hours after occlusion. Neurological outcome was better in nimodipine-treated rats and the size of the infarcted area was statistically smaller in rats treated with nimodipine 1,2 or 6 hours after occlusion(P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, respectively) when compared with control rats(MCA occlusion only) or saline-treated rats. The results show that nimodipine improves neurological outcome and decreases the size of infarction after ischemic insult. The mechanism of action of nimodipine is not fully understood but nimodipine could influence cerebral postischemic changes by improving blood flow and/or by a direct action on neurons.
Animals ; Brain Ischemia* ; Calcium ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; Calcium Channels ; Infarction ; Ions ; Logic ; Membranes ; Neurons ; Nimodipine* ; Rats

Calcium has been implicated as primary pathogenetic mediator of cellular injury under conditions or oxygen and substrate deprivation in the kidney as well as other tissues. According to various studies, calcium channel blockers may prevent metabolic disturbances and promote functional and structural recovery after ischemia. Verapamil is known to have many actions which may account for its beneficial effect in renal ischemia. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of verapamil on mitochondrial respiration of ischemic kidney in rabbits. 1. In normal kidneys, cortical mitochondria showed higher S3 respiration and ACR than medulla But S4 respiration was similar between cortex and medulla. 2. After renal artery clamping in normothermia, there was a marked decrease in S3 respiration, no significant changes in S4 respiration, and a decrease in the ACR in cortex. But in medulla, there were significant decrease in both S3 and S4 respiration with slight decrease in the ACR. 3. In regional hypothermic group, there were a decrease in S3 respiration and a decrease in the ACR on cortex. But S3 respiration and the ACR were significantly higher than those of normothermic group. 4. In verapamil treated group, there was a decrease in S3 respiration and a decrease in the ACR on cortex. But reduction rate of S3 respiration and the ACR was significantly lower than those of normothermic group. 5. In medulla, reduction rate of the ACR was not significantly different between three experimental groups. Above results suggested that verapamil has partial but significant protective effect in renal ischemia and achieve its effect by preserving mitochondrial functions. And also it was suggested that regional hypothermia had a superior protective effect compared with verapamil.
Calcium ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; Constriction ; Hypothermia ; Ischemia ; Kidney* ; Mitochondria ; Oxygen ; Rabbits* ; Renal Artery ; Respiration* ; Verapamil*

Calcium ion exists extensively in cells as the second messenger, and calcium channel blocker (CCB) is widely used to treat cardiac, skeletal muscular diseases. With the advances in the investigation of human sperm calcium channel, CCB has been proved to affect not only the shape, activation and acrosome reaction, but also the function of human sperm, which may afford a new approach to male contraception.
Calcium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Calcium Channels ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; physiology

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was performed to observe blood pressure (BP) control rate with changes in patterns of antihypertensive drugs in patients with hypertension. METHODS: The subjects were first prescribed antihypertensive drugs from 2001 to 2009 at [Nowon] health center. The study population consisted of 1588 subjects, and they were observed with 15 additional prescriptions through prospective cohort methods. Patient initial systolic blood pressures (SBP) were >140 mmHg in all cases. RESULTS: BP was controlled in 31.3% of subjects through the first prescribed antihypertensive drugs. Calcium channel blockers (CCB) were the most common first-choice medications (52.3%), which lowered BP by 12.9 mmHg at the first prescription. The most common converted drugs in monotherapy were CCB, and CCB were converted to angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARB). Dichlozide (DCZ) was the most common medication added to CCB. The combination patterns involved addition of DCZ, CCB, and beta blockers (BB). The most common combination pattern was DCZ+CCB, and CCB (72.9%) showed the strongest BP control rate at the endpoint. Among the combination therapies, BB+DCZ+CCB (69.2%) showed the strongest BP control rate at the endpoint. CONCLUSIONS: The control rate was increased with additional visits but reached a plateau (69.8%) after the 14th visit. The percentages of monotherapy and combinations were 53.3% and 46.7%, respectively. To increase the overall control rate, further studies are needed to evaluate uncontrolled hypertension from the viewpoint of resistant hypertension.
Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; Antihypertensive Agents ; Blood Pressure ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Prescriptions ; Prospective Studies

Experimental data showed that morphine interfered with calcium influx in the central nervous system and some calcium channel blockers potentiated analgesic effect of morphine. As few clinical data are available, we studied the effect of the calcium channel blocking agent, verapamil, on the analgesic effect of epidural morphine for postoperative pain control after upper abdominal surgery. The mean analgesic duration of 2mg of morphine was 17.9+/-4.3 hours and the addition of 5 and 10 mg of verapamil increased the analgesic effect of morphine significantly(28.2+/-6.1 hours and 26.7+/-6.3 hours, respectively). The quality of analgesia was improved by verapamil without significant changes in respiratory and cardiovascular functions. The data suggested that verapamil might be a useful adjunct to epidural morphine as a balanced analgesia for postoperative pain control, especially in certain patients such as the patient with coronary artery disease.
Analgesia ; Analgesia, Epidural ; Calcium ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; Calcium Channels ; Central Nervous System ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Humans ; Morphine* ; Pain, Postoperative ; Verapamil*