Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Vascular Balloon Injury and Intraluminal Administration in Rat Carotid Artery
Published on: December 23, 2014
Calcium antagonists and intimal cell proliferation in atherogenesis
1Institute of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
Smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and intimal proliferation are major events in the formation of the atherosclerotic lesions. Among other processes, calcium may participate in atherogenesis by affecting SMC proliferation. Calcium antagonists, which possess antiatherosclerotic properties in animal models, are effective in inhibiting SMC proliferation. This effect has been demonstrated both in vitro in cell culture and in vivo in balloon-catheterised rats and rabbits. Such an effect, indicates a possible mechanism involved in the antiatherosclerotic activity elicited by this category of drugs.
Related Concept Videos
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of Calcium Channel Blockers
Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction

