Blocking of the receptor-stimulated calcium entry into human platelets by verapamil and nicardipine

Verapamil (ED₅₀=3×10⁻⁶ M) and nicardipine (ED₅₀=10⁻⁶ M) inhibited the platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced increase of free cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) in quin2-loaded human platelets. In a Ca-free medium containing 5 mM BaCl₂, PAF stimulated the inflow of Ba²⁺ ions which is completely abolished by verapamil and nicardipine. Simultaneous determination of quin2 fluorescence and ⁴⁵Ca absorption showed that the action of verapamil is accounted for by blocking of the Ca²⁺ entry. Nicardipine suppresses also Ca²⁺ mobilization from intracellular stores. The effects of verapamil and nicardipine are not competitive with respect to PAF.The blockers reduce the [Ca²⁺]_i increase induced by ADP, vasopressin, and PGH₂ analogue U46619.