Why the study?
Do calcium channel blockers have antioxidant effects that help prevent complications of hypertension?
Do calcium channel blockers have antioxidant effects that help prevent complications of hypertension?
This review explores experimental evidence regarding the antioxidant effects of calcium channel blockers and their potential role in preventing complications of hypertension.
No established clinical benefit from calcium channel blocker antioxidant effects in hypertension; leaves open confirmation in prospective trials.
Drugs currently known as calcium channel blockers (CCB) were initially called calcium antagonists because of their ability to inhibit calcium-evoked contractions in depolarized smooth muscles. Blocking the entry of calcium reduces the active tone of vascular smooth muscle and produces vasodilatation. This pharmacological property has been the basis for the use of CCBs in the management of hypertension and coronary heart disease. A major question is whether drugs reducing blood pressure have other effects that help prevent the main complications of hypertension, such as atherosclerosis, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, heart failure and end-state renal disease. Experimental studies that focus on this question are reviewed in the present paper.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Théophile Godfraind (2005) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: