Protective Actions of Cilnidipine: Dual L/N-Type Calcium Channel Blocker Against Hypertensive Renal Injury in Rats

Gouher Banu Shaikh^1*, Surekha Hippargi¹, Dewan S. A Majid² and  Kusal K Das¹

¹Laboratory of Vascular Physiology and Medicine, Department of Physiology, Shri B.M. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, BLDE (Deemed to be University), Vijayapura-586103, Karnataka, India

²Department of Physiology, Hypertension and Renal Center of Excellence, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA.

Corresponding Author E-mail: gouher.banu@bldedu.ac.in

Abstract: Background: Cilnidipine belongs to fourth generation dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB). It is a dual L & N-type CCB. L- type calcium channels are present on the vascular smooth muscle and N-type calcium channels are present on the presynaptic nerve terminals. Cilnidipine  has a vasodilating effect, its action is  slow and long lasting. Aim and objectives: Aim of present study was to demonstrate the beneficial effects of cilnidipine on the hypertensive renal injury rats. And our objectives is to assess renal injury parameters (Proteinuria, Creatinine clearance, Renal fibrosis/glomerulosclerosis) in response to chronic N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) treatment in the presence or absence of cilnidipine treatment. Material and methods:  Male albino Wister rats were procured from institutional animal house, divided into 4 groups (n=6 in each group). Group1 treated with vehicle (control), group2 treated with cilnidipine, group3 treated with L-NAME, group4 treated with L-NAME & cilnidipine. 24 hour urinary protein and creatinine clearance were measured. Serum urea and creatinine levels are also measured. Urinary and serum Angiotensin II levels were measured. Histopathological examination of kidneys was performed. Results: Our results demonstrate that treatment with cilnidipine (group4) there is reduction in 24hr urinary protein, improvement in creatinine clearance. We observed there was renal glomerulosclerosis and tubular degeneration of kidney tubules in group3 rats and reduction of renal injury in group4 rats. We also found reduced urinary and serum Angiotensin II level in  cilnidipine treated  (group 4) rats. Conclusion: These findings indicated that cilnidipine act as renoprotective agent and reduces glomerular damage in L-NAME induced hypertensive rats.

Keywords: Creatinine Clearance; Hypertensive Arts; 24Hour Protein; L and N-type Calcium Channel Blocker; Renal Injury

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