Calcium antagonists and intimal cell proliferation in atherogenesis

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and intimal proliferation are major events in the formation of the atherosclerotic lesions. Among other processes, calcium may participate in atherogenesis by affecting SMC proliferation. Calcium antagonists, which possess antiatherosclerotic properties in animal models, are effective in inhibiting SMC proliferation. This effect has been demonstrated both in vitro in cell culture and in vivo in balloon-catheterised rats and rabbits. Such an effect, indicates a possible mechanism involved in the antiatherosclerotic activity elicited by this category of drugs.