[Pharmacologic inhibition of experimental atherosclerosis]

We tested the effects of heparin and two calcium antagonists. Nifedipine and nitrendipine, on atherosclerotic plaque formation in rats. Intimal proliferation was induced by freezing of a small segment of the carotid artery. In addition, a lipid enriched diet was fed during the 10-day experiment. The drugs were given twice daily, heparin by the s.c. route and calcium antagonists by the oral route. Plaque formation was inhibited dose-dependently. 5 mg/kg s.c. heparin caused an almost complete inhibition. Plaque formation was inhibited in the nifedipine-treated groups by 61%, 46%, and 5% after administration of 50, 15 and 5 mg/kg. Corresponding values from nitrendipine-treated animals were 59%, 21%, and no effect. At the highest dose-level the differences were statistically significant (p less than 0.05). It is concluded that the compounds tested may be useful in the treatment of atherosclerotic patients.