Possible protective role of calcium inhibitors in drug nephrotoxicity
Deray, G.; Dubois, M.; Martinez, F.; Baumelou, A.; Jacobs, C.
Therapie 44(3): 183-187
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-5957 PMID: 2675380 Document Number: 340191
Many experimental studies have shown that calcium channel blockers could prevent drug-induced acute renal failure. In dog, nifedipine and verapamil prevent decreasing blood flow produced by contrast material. In rat, administration of verapamil has beneficial effects on gentamycin nephrotoxicity. Verapamil improves renal function in rats with acute renal failure due to cyclosporine. Calcium channel blockers have various effects on cisplatinum nephrotoxicity: in rat, nifedipine worsens nephrotoxicity; in man, verapamil prevents nephrotoxicity due to cisplatinum. In addition, nifedipine seems to improve renal function in transplanted patients treated with cyclosporine. In 2 control studies, we did not find any effect of diltiazem on prevention of renal toxicity due to methotrexate and cisplatinum. Calcium channel blockers could prevent nephrotoxicity by reducing calcium transfer across cell membranes and/or inhibiting the action of vasoconstrictive hormones.