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Single-channel Analysis and Calcium Imaging in the Podocytes of the Freshly Isolated Glomeruli
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Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers and renal disease

Nicolás R Robles1, Francesco Fici2, Guido Grassi2,3

  • 1Cátedra de Riesgo Cardiovascular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.

Hypertension Research : Official Journal of the Japanese Society of Hypertension
|July 15, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) offer kidney protection beyond blood pressure control in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Newer CCBs may reduce filtration fraction, providing a nephroprotective effect.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiovascular Pharmacology

Background:

  • Blood pressure control is key in chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression.
  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers offer organ protection in CKD.
  • The renal protective effects of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are less defined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential nephroprotective roles of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) in chronic kidney disease (CKD).
  • To investigate the pleiotropic effects of CCBs that may benefit kidney health.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing clinical and experimental evidence on CCB effects in renal disease.
  • Analysis of CCB mechanisms including attenuation of mesangial entrapment and cell proliferation.

Main Results:

  • CCBs exhibit pleiotropic effects potentially protecting the kidney.
  • Newer dihydropyridinic CCBs may impact pre- and post-glomerular vessels.
  • These effects can lead to decreased filtration fraction and offer a nephroprotective effect.

Conclusions:

  • CCBs possess mechanisms beyond blood pressure reduction that may protect the kidney.
  • Evidence supports the use of CCBs in hypertensive patients with CKD for their nephroprotective potential.

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