Pranidipine, a 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that enhances nitric oxide-induced vascular relaxation

Pranidipine, a long acting 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, prolongs nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxation of rat aorta; it prolongs acetylcholine-induced relaxation in presence of endothelium as well as nitroglycerin-induced relaxation in absence of endothelium. In rat aorta the effect of pranidipine on NO-mediated relaxation is cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-independent, but in guinea pig carotid artery the same effect of pranidipine is cGMP-dependent. It has been reported that in co-cultured human endothelial and smooth muscle cells pranidipine, at a higher concentration (10(-6) M), enhances vasorelaxant effect of NO by blocking NO decomposition. The enhancement of NO action by pranidipine differs from the direct NO-releasing action of other 1,4-dihydropyridines. It is expected that enhancement of NO-induced vasodilatation will lead to a venodilator action in vivo and less peripheral edema. The target organ protective effects of pranidipine are also reviewed in this article.