No effect of nifedipine on atherogenesis in cholesterol-fed rabbits

It was recently reported that the calcium antagonist nifedipine suppresses aortic cholesterol accumulation in cholesterol-fed rabbits without reducing hypercholesterolemia. We extended this study on plasma lipoprotein levels and aortic influx of cholesteryl ester. We gave 40 mg per day of nifedipine orally to 17 rabbits fed a 2% cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. For the same period of time 15 control rabbits received placebo capsules and the same diet. During the study, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and VLDL cholesterol concentrations in plasma were not significantly different in the experimental and control animals. At the end of the study we found no difference in the two groups in accumulation of cholesterol in the intima media of the proximal thoracic aorta, the distal thoracic aorta, and the corresponding media layers. Furthermore, aortic influx of free cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, and albumin from plasma measured by radioactive tracers was not significantly affected by nifedipine.