PMID: 6400430Apr 1, 1984Paper

Microcirculatory actions and uses of naturally-occurring (magnesium) and novel synthetic calcium channel blockers

Microcirculation, Endothelium, and Lymphatics
B M Altura, B T Altura

Abstract

Synthetic calcium channel blockers (Ca2+ entry blockers or antagonists) have been reported to induce relaxation of smooth muscle which is not thought to be mediated by any specific action(s) on receptor sites. In addition, it has been suggested that Ca2+ channel blockers increases blood flow in a number of organ regions, including mesenteric, femoral, renal, cerebral and coronary vasculatures, via a direct action on vascular tone by inhibiting Ca2+ influx across the vascular smooth muscle membranes. Such information has prompted clinical studies with the use of Ca2+ channel blockers in the treatment of a wide variety of cardiovascular disorders. The questions, to be answered, however, are whether any of the newly-designed channel blockers can actively produce vasodilatation of arterioles and venules in regional microvasculatures, and these synthetic agents are safe and therapeutically effective. In addition, can one design site-specific (e.g., cerebral vs. coronary vasodilator) Ca2+ channel blockers. But, since the body has a natural Ca2+ antagonist, viz., magnesium ions (Mg2+), one must ask whether such divalent cations act as peripheral vasodilators and are effective as therapeutic agents. The studies reviewed herein: compare...Continue Reading

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