Calcium antagonists are broad-spectrum drugs

In the regulation of the body's vital activity, calcium ions play a very important role. The fact is that it is calcium, penetrating into cells that can activate all intracellular vital processes in the body, for example, the conversion of ATP into cAMP or processes of protein phosphorylation.

Regulation of calcium ions in the body

Calcium penetrates into cells through special channels, which are large protein molecules that permeate through a multi-layered membrane of cells. These "channels", among other things, have special receptors that perform the identification of calcium ions without missing other particles.

The flow of calcium ions into the body is regulated by specific endogenous factors, which may have, as a neurogenic origin, endocrine mediators, for example, acetylcholine or serotonin.

Preparations that block the penetration of calcium ions into cells

Studies of drugs that are able to inhibit the passage of calcium through the channels began as far back as the 60s and continue to this day. At the beginning of these studies were discovered substances, derivatives of phenylacilamine, which at that time were proposed for use as corona diligent drugs. Today, quite a large number of such substances have been discovered, which are united in one group, called calcium antagonists.

The use of calcium antagonists

Calcium antagonists today have found wide application in various fields of medicine, this is due to the fact that they have a fairly wide range of action. For example, calcium antagonists can affect myocardial contractility, atrioventricular conduction, and sinus node activity.

A similar action is exerted by aldosterone antagonists, which, due to their action, block the conductivity of aldosterone receptors, thereby increasing the amount of calcium in the cells.

In some forms of pathological conditions, for example, with hypoxia or ischemia, calcium ions are able to excessively enhance intracellular processes, while increasing the need for tissues in oxygen, which can lead to various pathological effects. In this case, calcium antagonists have a therapeutic effect, limiting the action of calcium ions in cellular processes.

Calcium antagonists for the treatment of diseases associated with CAS

Their main use of calcium antagonists today found in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Drugs can affect the conductance and excitability of the heart, have an antianginal effect, improve coronary blood flow, and also reduce blood pressure.

Drugs that affect conduction and excitability of the heart are now used as antiarrhythmic drugs, which led to their isolation into a separate pharmacological group (angianginal drugs).

Also antagonists significantly affect the aggregation of platelets, reducing their adhesion and promoting platelet disaggregation. Such drugs are used to reduce the viscosity of blood and increase the elasticity of platelets. To increase the anticoagulant ability of blood, vitamin K antagonists can also be used that disrupt the activation of prothrombin, blocking the formation of fibrin clots.

Spectrum of drugs

The spectrum of action of calcium antagonists is truly diverse, because today they are used not only to treat major types of cardiovascular diseases, but also to treat migraine, bronchial asthma, and cerebral circulation disorders. Also, calcium antagonists play an important role in the treatment of psychiatric diseases, being used in the treatment of epilepsy and discenezia in patients with schizophrenia.