Atheroprotective properties of nifedipine.

Impaired endothelial cell growth and function have been suggested to be an initial event leading to the development of atherosclerosis. Nifedipine is one of the most widely used dihydropyridine-based calcium antagonists (DHPs) for the treatment of patients with angina and hypertension. Recently, nifedipine was shown to improve endothelial function in many cardiovascular diseases, thus slowing the development and progression of atherosclerosis. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms for the atheroprotective effects of nifedipine, with special emphasis on its anti-oxidative properties.