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A short review is given of possible mechanisms of action of the organic "calcium antagonists". Calcium antagonists comprise a chemically heterogenous group of drugs, and the term may be used to denote agents that inhibit Ca2+-dependent processes or regulatory mechanisms without acting at other sites. Such drugs may be subdivided into those that decrease the availability of Ca2+ to the myoplasm, and those that decrease the cellular effects of Ca2+ without lowering the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Accordingly, calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil, nifedipine, and diltiazem, form a subgroup of calcium availability inhibitors, as they block influx of extracellular calcium through ion selective channels in the membrane both in cardiac and smooth muscle. However, it cannot be excluded that some of these drugs, particularly in smooth muscle, may have additional sites of action, which must be taken into consideration when they are used as investigational tools.
K E Andersson, and
E D Högestätt
May 1985,
Schweizerische Rundschau fur Medizin Praxis = Revue suisse de medecine Praxis,
K E Andersson, and
E D Högestätt
November 1989,
The American journal of cardiology,
K E Andersson, and
E D Högestätt
November 1989,
Atherosclerosis,
K E Andersson, and
E D Högestätt
May 1985,
Cardiologia (Rome, Italy),
K E Andersson, and
E D Högestätt
February 1986,
Zentralblatt fur Veterinarmedizin. Reihe A,
K E Andersson, and
E D Högestätt
February 1985,
Cardiologia (Rome, Italy),
K E Andersson, and
E D Högestätt
February 1983,
Drugs,
K E Andersson, and
E D Högestätt
November 1988,
La Revue du praticien,
K E Andersson, and
E D Högestätt
August 1989,
Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine,
K E Andersson, and
E D Högestätt
January 1986,
Drugs under experimental and clinical research,
