Calcium — a Neglected Key Factor in Arteriosclerosis. The Pathogenetic Role of Arterial Calcium Overload and Its Prevention by Calcium Antagonists

Using specific calcium antagonists as experimental tools, both the physiological messenger and current carrying functions of calcium ions as well as their pathogenetic potencies could be elucidated. Notably, excess intracellular calcium signalling and intra-and extracellular calcium overload turned out to be pathogenetic principles of general importance. In this context, progressive calcium overload of arteriosclerotic vascular walls and the antiarteriosclerotic effects of calcium antagonists, deserve particular interest. In fact, with the help of calcium antagonists, arterial calcium overload as decisive component of various types of experimental arteriosclerosis became accessible to a direct therapeutic intervention. According to their responsiveness to calcium antagonists, two pathophysiologically different types of experimental coronary plaques could be characterized: (1) The calcium type, i.e. coronary calcinosis of vitamin D3-intoxicated rats highly sensitive to calcium antagonist treatment, (2) the...