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Calcium channel blockers: do they offer renal protection?
1University of Missouri School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Columbia.
Journal of Human Hypertension
|June 1, 1993
Summary
Calcium channel blockers effectively treat hypertension by lowering vascular resistance. They also preserve or improve kidney function in various conditions, including diabetes and after transplants.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hypertension management often involves addressing its impact on renal function.
- Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are established antihypertensives.
- Emerging evidence suggests renal benefits of CCBs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of calcium channel blockers on renal function in hypertensive patients.
- To assess CCB efficacy in diverse renal conditions, including diabetic nephropathy and post-transplant scenarios.
Main Methods:
- Review of studies in animal models and human subjects.
- Analysis of renal vascular resistance, blood flow, and glomerular filtration rate.
- Examination of urinary protein excretion in diabetic patients.
Main Results:
- CCBs decrease peripheral vascular resistance, aiding hypertension control.
- Studies show CCBs maintain or reduce renal vascular resistance.
- Renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate are preserved or enhanced by CCBs.
- CCBs reduce urinary protein excretion in diabetic nephropathy patients.
Conclusions:
- Calcium channel blockers demonstrate a protective effect on renal hemodynamics.
- These agents are suitable for treating hypertensive patients with renal impairment.
- CCBs offer benefits across essential hypertensive renal disease, diabetic renal disease, and renal transplant recipients.