Cytosolic calcium and lymphoproliferative response during calcium antagonism in men

Objective: A double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study was conducted on the effect of mibefradil, both an L- and T-type Ca²⁺-channel blocker with a more selective blockade of T-type channels, administered once daily for 1 week to normal male subjects, on blood pressure, intracellular cationic concentrations, sodium-proton exchange rate and ³ H-thymidine incorporation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Methods: After a 1-week run-in period on placebo, the subjects (n = 40) were allocated to a placebo or a mibefradil group. Placebo or 50 mg mibefradil was administered once daily in the morning for 1 week. All subjects were investigated at baseline and after 1 week of placebo or mibefradil administration. Standing or recumbent blood pressure and heart rate of subjects in the mibefradil group was decreased (P < 0.05 or less) compared with that of subjects in the placebo group. Results: Decreased (P < 0.001) intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration and reduced (P < 0.001) ³ H-thymidine incorporation in the PBMC were observed in the mibefradil-treated subjects. The intracellular sodium, potassium or magnesium concentration as well as the sodium-proton exchange rate were not changed during mibefradil administration. Conclusion: The blood pressure lowering action of mibefradil in men is accompanied by a decrease in intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration. Mibefradil also reduced the ³ H-thymidine incorporation or de novo DNA synthesis in PBMC by modulating the calcium homeostasis. Received: 24 June 1998 / Accepted in revised form: 3 October 1998     

Role of T-type Ca2+ Channels in the Spontaneous Phasic Contraction of Pregnant Rat Uterine Smooth Muscle

Although extracellular Ca²⁺ entry through the voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels plays an important role in the spontaneous phasic contractions of the pregnant rat myometrium, the role of the T-type Ca²⁺ channels has yet to be fully identified. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the T-type Ca²⁺ channel in the spontaneous phasic contractions of the rat myometrium. Spontaneous phasic contractions and [Ca²⁺]_i were measured simultaneously in the longitudinal strips of female Sprague-Dawley rats late in their pregnancy (on day 18~20 of gestation: term=22 days). The expression of T-type Ca²⁺ channel mRNAs or protein levels was measured. Cumulative addition of low concentrations (<1 µM) of nifedipine, a L-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker, produced a decrease in the amplitude of the spontaneous Ca²⁺ transients and contractions with no significant change in frequency. The mRNAs and proteins encoding two subunits (α1G, α1H) of the T-type Ca²⁺ channels were expressed in longitudinal muscle layer of rat myometrium. Cumulative addition of mibefradil, NNC 55-0396 or nickel induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the amplitude and frequency of the spontaneous Ca²⁺ transients and contractions. Mibefradil, NNC 55-0396 or nickel also attenuated the slope of rising phase of spontaneous Ca²⁺ transients consistent with the reduction of the frequency. It is concluded that T-type Ca²⁺ channels are expressed in the pregnant rat myometrium and may play a key role for the regulation of the frequency of spontaneous phasic contractions.     

T-type and L-type calcium channel blockers exert opposite effects on renin secretion and renin gene expression in conscious rats

1. This study aimed to investigate and to compare the effects of pharmacological T-type calcium channel and of L-type calcium channel blockade on the renin system. To this end, male healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with the T-channel blocker mibefradil or with the L-channel blocker amlodipine at doses of 5 mg kg⁻¹, 15 mg kg⁻¹ and 45 mg kg⁻¹ per day for four days and their effects on plasma renin activity (PRA) and kidney renin mRNA levels were determined.
2. Whilst amlodipine lowered basal systolic blood pressure at 5 mg kg⁻¹, mibefradil had no effect on basal blood pressure in the whole dose range examined. Amlodipine dose-dependently induced up to 7 fold elevation of PRA and renin mRNA levels. Mibefradil significantly lowered PRA and renin mRNA levels at 5 mg kg⁻¹ and moderately increased both parameters at a dose of 45 mg kg⁻¹, when PRA and renin mRNA levels were increased by 100% and 30%, respectively. In primary cultures of renal juxtaglomerular cells neither amlodipine nor mibefradil (0.1–10 μM) changed renin secretion.
3. In rats unilateral renal artery clips (2K-1C) mibefradil and amlodipine at doses of 15 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ were equally effective in lowering blood pressure. In contrast mibefradil (5 mg kg⁻¹ and 15 mg  kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) significantly attenuated the rise of PRA and renin mRNA levels, whilst amlodipine (15 mg kg⁻¹) additionally elevated the rise of PRA and renin mRNA levels in response to renal artery clipping.
4. These findings suggest that T-type calcium channel blockers can inhibit renin secretion and renin gene expression in vivo, whilst L-type calcium channel blockers act as stimulators of the renin system. Since the inhibitory effect of T-type antagonists is apparent in vivo but not in vitro, one may infer that the effect on the renin system is indirect rather than directly mediated at the level of renal juxtaglomerular cells.

     

Comparison of mibefradil and derivative NNC 55-0396 effects on behavior, cytochrome P450 activity, and tremor in mouse models of essential tremor

NNC 55-0396 [(1S,2S)-2-(2-(N-[(3-benzimidazol-2-yl)propyl]-N-methylamino)ethyl)-6-fluoro-1,2, 3,4-tetrahydro-1-isopropyl-2-naphtyl cyclopropanecarboxylate dihydrochloride], is a mibefradil derivative that retains potent in vitro T-type calcium channel antagonist efficacy. We compared the two compounds for behavioral toxicity, effects on cytochrome P450 activity, and efficacy against tremor in the γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA_A) receptor subunit α1-null mouse, and the harmaline tremor model of essential tremor in wild-type mice. NNC 55-0396 was better tolerated than mibefradil in the horizontal wire test of sedation/motor function, with 3/6 failing at 300 and 30 mg/kg respectively. To assess for a potential interaction with harmaline, mice were given the drugs, followed by harmaline or vehicle, and tested 30 min later in the inverted wire grid test. Mibefradil exacerbated, whereas NNC 55-0396 ameliorated harmaline-induced test deficits. In mouse liver microsomes, NNC 55-0396 was a less potent inhibitor of harmaline O-demethylation than mibefradil (K_i: 0.95 and 0.29 μM respectively), and also less potent at inhibiting testosterone 6-β-hydroxylation (K_i: 0.71 and 0.12 μM respectively). In the GABA_A α1-null model, NNC 55-0396 but not mibefradil, (each at 20 mg/kg), suppressed tremor while NNC 55-0396 at 12.5 mg/kg suppressed harmaline-induced tremor by half by 20–100 min, whereas mibefradil at the same dose did not significantly affect tremor. In contrast to mibefradil, NNC 55-0396 is well tolerated and suppresses tremor, and exerts less cytochrome P450 inhibition. These results suggest potential clinical utility for NNC 55-0396 or similar derivatives as a T-type calcium antagonist.     

Mibefradil通过下调FoxO1表达改善HepG2细胞的胰岛素抵抗

目的 探索Mibefradil在体外对胰岛素抵抗HepG2细胞的作用.方法 将HepG2细胞分为对照组、棕榈酸盐(Palmitate,PA)诱导的HepG2细胞胰岛素抵抗模型组、药物溶剂(DMSO)组、低剂量(0.025 μmol/L) Mibefradil组、高剂量(0.05 μmol/L)Mibefradil组,通过检测各组糖原合成及葡萄糖消耗,观察Mibefradil对胰岛素抵抗HepG2细胞的改善作用.用qRT-PCR、Western blot检测各组FoxO1,糖异生、糖原分解限速酶,即:磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧基激酶(PEPCK)、葡萄糖-6-磷酸激酶(G6Pase)的mRNA、蛋白相对表达量,明确转录因子FoxO1及其靶基因的表达水平.结果 相比于对照组,HepG2细胞胰岛素抵抗模型组的糖原合成量[(3.28 ±0.74) μg/μL vs(9.14 ±0.33) μg/μL,P＜0.01]及葡萄糖消耗量[(1.31±0.49)nmol/μg vs(5.87±2.26)nmol/μg,P＜0.01]明显下降;经Mibefradil干预后,胰岛素抵抗HepG2细胞的糖原合成及葡萄糖消耗得到明显改善,且高剂量组的糖原合成[(7.09 ±0.60) μg/μL vs(5.73 ±0.16) μg/μL,P＜0.01)]及葡萄糖消耗[(6.45 ±0.02) nmol/μgvs(5.61 ±0.29) nmol/μg,P＜0.01]显著高于低剂量组,表明Mibefradil可改善HepG2细胞的胰岛素抵抗.qRT-PCR及Western blot检测结果表明,胰岛素抵抗HepG2细胞的FoxO1、PEPCK、G6Pase的表达量均显著增加(P＜0.01);经Mibefradil干预后,其表达量呈剂量依赖性下降(P＜0.05).结论 Mibefradil对胰岛素抵抗HepG2细胞具有改善作用,此作用可能与下调FoxO1的表达有关.     

鞘内注射米贝地尔对神经痛大鼠脊髓nNOS表达的影响

目的：探讨脊髓T型钙通道在背根节慢性压迫（CCD）痛中的作用以及其对脊髓背角神经元神经型一氧化氮合酶（nNOS）表达的影响。方法: 行为学部分，SD大鼠48只，随机分为6组，每组8只，即sham组、CCD组、CCD+生理盐水组；CCD+米贝地尔50 μg组；CCD+米贝地尔100 μg组；CCD+米贝地尔200 μg组，sham组和CCD组在术前、术后1、3、5、7、14、21 d分别测定大鼠机械和热痛敏，其余各组在手术后5 d分别鞘内注射盐水、米贝地尔各个剂量，分别在术前、给药前、给药后30 min、60 min、120 min、240 min、480 min分别测定大鼠机械和热痛敏。免疫组化部分，设正常对照组（normal），其余分组同行为学部分,每组6只。Normal、sham组和CCD组大鼠术后5 d处死，其余各组动物在术后第5 d鞘内单次给药后2 h处死，取脊髓腰膨大做免疫组织化学实验。结果: CCD大鼠在手术后形成稳定的痛敏，鞘内单次注射米贝地尔各个剂量能抑制大鼠痛敏，并持续到给药后240 min。CCD大鼠术后5 d脊髓背角浅层nNOS阳性神经元明显增多，鞘内注射米贝地尔能抑制神经元nNOS的表达。结论：脊髓T型钙通道参与CCD大鼠机械和热痛敏的形成，且可能与脊髓背角神经元nNOS的表达有关。     

鞘内注射米贝地尔抑制慢性坐骨神经结扎大鼠机械痛敏和热痛敏

目的:观察脊髓水平T型钙通道阻滞剂米贝地尔(mibefradil)对坐骨神经慢性松结扎(CCI)大鼠机械和热痛阈的影响,探讨脊髓T型钙通道在伤害性信息传递中的作用.方法雄性SD大鼠48只,随机分为6组(n=8):假手术组(Sham),CCI组,CCI 生理盐水组,CCI 米贝地尔50 μg、100 μg、200 μg组.CCI组和Sham组在术前、术后1 d、3 d、5 d、7 d、14 d、21d测定大鼠机械缩腿阈值(MWT)和热缩腿潜伏期(TWL);其余各组大鼠在手术前5天先进行鞘内置管,在术前测定基础MWT和TWL,CCI手术后5 d鞘内注射不同剂量的米贝地尔,测定给药前、给药后0.5 h、1 h、2 h、4h、8 h大鼠MWL和TWL.结果:CCI组从术后3 d开始直到本实验观察的术后21 d,MWT和TWL均明显降低,与Sham组相比具有显著性意义(P＜0.01);CCI加生理盐水组大鼠在各个时间点上与给药前相比MWT和TWL无明显改变(P＞0.05);CCI加米贝地尔各个剂量组大鼠在给药后MWT和TWL均逐渐增加,具有剂量依赖性,并随时间的延长又逐渐恢复到给药前水平,CCI 米贝地尔200μg在给药后1 h时作用最明显,与给药前和盐水组相比P＜0.01,并一直持续到给药后4h.结论:鞘内注射米贝地尔能明显减轻慢性坐骨神经松结扎大鼠机械痛敏和热痛敏,提示T型钙通道在脊髓水平参与疼痛信息传递.     

T-Type Calcium Channel Blockade in the Management of Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease

The T-Type calcium channel offers a new therapeutic target for teatment of patients with cardiovascular disease. Mibefradil, a T channel blocker, produces heart rate slowing and coronary vasodilatation but without the negative inotropic effect commonly seen when L-Type channel blockers are used. The present study shows Mibefradil prevents ischemic episodes that are and are not preceded by an increase in heart rate. Although Mibefradil has been withdrawn because of multiple drug interactions, new T-Type calcium channel blockers are under development.     

Antioxidative action of the novel calcium channel antagonist mibefradil on low-density lipoproteins

Objective: Mibefradil is a novel calcium channel antagonist that selectively blocks T-channels. It acts to reduce hypertension, is cardioprotective and reduces ischemic episodes. Oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is well known to contribute to coronary atherosclerosis and we therefore investigated to see whether mibefradil had antioxidative action on LDL. Methods: Human LDL were isolated by ultracentrifugation. In vitro oxidation of LDL (0.1 μmol · l⁻¹ protein) in the presence of various concentrations of mibefradil was initiated by 3.2 μmol · l⁻¹ copper ions. The kinetics of formation of conjugated dienes was followed photometrically. Malondialdehyde and lipoperoxides were determined at maximum oxidation. LDL (0.3 μmol · l⁻¹) were also pre-incubated with mibefradil (120 μmol · l⁻¹). Excessive mibefradil was separated by column technique. The resultant LDL were oxidized using copper ions or (AAPH) 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride. Results: The presence of mibefradil in the concentration range from 10 to 200 μmol · l⁻¹ had dose-dependent effects. These were protection of LDL against oxidation measured as prolongation of the lagtime up to 250%, and reduction in the formation of malondialdehyde down to 65% and of lipoperoxides to 20%. Pre-incubation of LDL with mibefradil prolonged the lagtime of Cu-mediated oxidation up to 132% and of AAPH-mediated oxidation up to 138%. Conclusion: In addition to the T-channel blocking and antiproliferative effects, our results provide arguments for a protective role of mibefradil (10–200 μmol · l⁻¹) on LDL against in vitro oxidation. This was shown with three independent parameters (lagtime, malondialdehyde and lipoperoxides) and in different oxidation models. Received: 11 March 1998 / Accepted in revised form: 1 July 1998     

Proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells during calcium channel blockade

To evaluate the role of intracellular calcium and particularly Ca²⁺ uptake in the initiation of lymphocyte mitogenesis, the effect of mibefradil—which blocks both L- and T-type calcium channels with a more selective blockade of T-type channels—on the proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is compared with the effect of nifedipine, which blocks only the L-type calcium channel. The rate of ³H-thymidine, ³H-uridine, and ³H-leucine incorporation into control and concanavalin A-stimulated PBMC in the presence or absence of the calcium channel blockers mibefradil or nifedipine (1, 10, or 50 μmol/L), and of the intracellular calcium antagonist TMB-8 or the calmodulin antagonist W-7 (1, 10, 25, or 50 μmol/L) was assayed in cells cultured for 3 days. The cellular cytotoxicity and the cell number in growing cultures was also determined in mibefradil- or nifedipine-treated control or stimulated cells. Mibefradil and nifedipine reduced the cell number and the ³H-thymidine, ³H-uridine, or ³H-leucine incorporation or the de novo DNA, RNA, or protein synthesis in control and concanavalin A-stimulated human PBMC in a concentration-dependent manner. Mibefradil exhibited a more pronounced inhibition than nifedipine. The inhibitory effect of mibefradil or nifedipine on DNA synthesis was dependent upon the timing of treatment with the drugs. The inhibitory effect of mibefradil or nifedipine on the lymphoproliferative response was nearly abolished if the drugs were added 20 h after cell stimulation. A markedly reduced inhibitory effect was found when mibefradil or nifedipine were added 1 to 7 h after cell stimulation. However, regardless of time of addition, TMB-8 and W-7 caused a persistent inhibition of the proliferation of human PBMC. Our data show that mibefradil had a more pronounced inhibitory effect on the proliferation of human PBMC than nifedipine and that this inhibitory effect on de novo DNA synthesis was dependent upon the timing of treatment with both drugs. Mibefradil and nifedipine also reduce RNA and protein synthesis in human PBMC.

Therefore, administration of these calcium channel blockers to inhibit cellular proliferation might be most beneficial at anatomic sites where cellular proliferation is not already an active process, while being ineffective in the presence of ongoing active proliferation, as suggested by some prospective studies.