This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bruun, N. E. Articles by Hartling, O. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bruun, N. E. Articles by Hartling, O. J. Pubmed/NCBI databases Compound via MeSH Substance via MeSH Medline Plus Health Information High Blood Pressure Hazardous Substances DB POTASSIUM SODIUM

Hypertension, Vol 8, 655-661, Copyright © 1986 by American Heart Association

ARTICLES

Lack of effect of nifedipine on counterregulatory mechanisms in essential hypertension

NE Bruun, H Ibsen, F Nielsen, MD Nielsen, AG Moelbak and OJ Hartling

The influence of long-term nifedipine treatment on body fluid compartments, renal function, the renin-angiotensin system, and the adrenergic system was studied in 18 patients with essential hypertension. A placebo period of 4 weeks was followed by a 6-week dose- titration period. Thereafter, the dose was kept constant for an additional 6 weeks (mean dose, 51 mg/day). As compared with placebo values, diastolic blood pressure decreased approximately 12% during nifedipine treatment. Plasma volume, extracellular fluid volume, and the ratio of plasma to interstitial fluid volume did not change significantly, either in the group as a whole or in a subgroup in which pedal edema developed. Plasma concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine increased slightly after 2 weeks of treatment, but they returned to control values after 6 weeks of therapy. Plasma concentrations of renin, angiotensin II, and aldosterone did not change significantly. Glomerular filtration rate and renal clearances of sodium and potassium were unchanged as well. These results indicate that long-term nifedipine treatment does not lead to activation of counterregulatory mechanisms, such as fluid retention or the renin- angiotensin or adrenergic systems. This may well be of importance for the antihypertensive efficacy of nifedipine treatment.