Comparison of the effect of nifedipine and verapamil on lipid metabolism in experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits

: The aim of the work was to study the effect of 8-week treatment with two calcium channel blockers on some parameters of lipid metabolism in rabbits. Experimental atherosclerosis was induced by 1% cholesterol diet. The calcium channel blockers were administered twice daily in the following doses: nifedipine 1.0 mg.kg-1 and verapamil 2.0 mg/kg-1 x day-1. The treatment with calcium channel blockers enhanced the level of total cholesterol as well as of triglycerides and decreased the HDL: total cholesterol ratio in all the experimental groups. The changes induced by nifedipine were, however, less significant compared to the effect of verapamil. The absolute amount of fatty acids determined by gas chromatography was lower after nifedipine administration in comparison to the verapamil treated group. Nifedipine induced a more favorable proportion in the composition of fatty acids. The increase in the level of monounsaturated fatty acids (palmitoleic and oleic acid) as well as the decrease in the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially linoleic acid) was the lowest in the nifedipine treated group. (Fig. 6, Ref. 30.).