Calcium channel blockers and atherosclerosis

There is evidence that calcium antagonists (calcium channel blockers) may suppress atheroma formation in animals fed high-fat diets. Studies on the antiatherosclerotic effects of calcium blockers have suggested a variety of possible mechanisms: (a) lowering of arterial pressure, (b) decrease in atherogenic plasma lipoproteins, (c) suppression of accumulation of intracellular lipids, (d) suppression of atherogenic platelet dysfunction, (e) prevention of dyslipidemic endothelial injury, (f) inhibition of chemotaxis and cell migration, (g) inhibition of cell proliferation, (h) inhibition of deposition of matrix proteins, (i) suppression of tissue mineralization, and (j) retardation of cell necrosis.