Abstract
Background and Objectives: Since in atherosclerotic vessels obvious and certain changes with abnormality in transferring of calcium ions are seen, some researchers suggested that calcium channel blockers can be effective in slowdown and improving the process of atherosclerosis.
Materials and Methods: 36 male News eland white rabbits were divided into four groups: The normal control group, normal group receiving amlodipine, and high-cholesterol diet group and high-cholesterol diet with amlodipine group (5/mg/Kg/day) that rabbits take amlodipine by gavages. After 8 weeks all animals anesthetized and tissues samples were colleted.
Results: In aorta in high-cholesterol diet diameter of internal layer was increased and cells due to accumulation of lipids are seen as yellowish white. Hypertrophy of endothelial cells, accumulation of lipids in endothelial layers with calcification in media indicates induction of athroma. With amlodipine consumption decreasement of athrotic injuries was observed. In carotid artery in high-cholesterol diet results showing incidence of athroma. With amlodipine consumption decreasement of athrotic injuries was observed. In kidney artery in high-cholesterol diet atherosclerotic changes was not observed.
Conclusion: Significant differences were observed among arteries of aorta, kidney and carotid in atherosclerosis. In kidney artery the groups of high-cholesterol diet and high-cholesterol diet plus amlodipine were not different histologically but in arteries of aorta and carotid amlodipine consumption was effective in dcreasement of atherosclerosis process. This difference can be related to difference in structure of artery endothelial cells or different distribution of related receptors.