New developments in the therapy of pulmonary fibrosis.

Fibrosis is a normal response to injury. When it becomes excessive, however, it can interfere with the normal function of various organs. In the lungs fibrosis can lead to interstitial pneumonias.

High affinity binding of a potassium channel agonist to intact rat insulinoma cells.

The specific binding of a novel tritiated K+ channel opener, [3H]BAY X 9228, has been characterized in a rat insulinoma (RINm5F) cell line. The KD was 2.1 nM and Bmax 50 fmol/mg total protein as determined by saturation analysis.

Effect of lipoxygenase inhibitors on Ca2(+)-induced constriction of the rabbit ear artery.

1. The effects of nafazatrom, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and quercetin on Ca2(+)-induced vasoconstriction were studied in isolated rabbit ear arteries. 2.

Pharmacological basis for the use of nimodipine in central nervous system disorders.

Nimodipine, a Ca2+ antagonist with cerebrovasodilatory and anti-ischemic effects, binds to rat, guinea pig, and human brain membranes with high affinity (less than 1 nM). Only at higher concentrations has nimodipine been reported to block the release of some neurotransmitters and hormones from neuronal tissue. Nimodipine has no consistent effect on brain oxygen consumption or cortical ATP or phosphocreatine levels, although the ischemia-induced fall of brain ATP levels in gerbils or the lowering of intracellular brain pH in rabbits with focal cerebral ischemia were antagonized by the drug.

Pharmacological basis for use of calcium antagonists in hypertension.

Many different classification systems for Ca2+ antagonists were proposed. They are mostly based on structural aspects or profiles of biological activity. 1,4-dihydropyridines, with Ca2+ channel antagonistic activity, including nifedipine and nitrendipine, are highly effective as antihypertensive agents.