ANTIATHEROSCLEROTIC EFFECT OF VERAPAMIL I N CULTURED HUMAN AORTIC INTIMAL CELLS

Verapamil was examined for effects on atherosclerotic manifestations i n cultured human aortic intimal cells. Addition of verapamil in a conc entration of 10(-6)-10(-4)M to the cultured cells isolated from aortic atherosclerotic areas led to lower cellular lipids, suppressed cell p roliferation and inhibited synthesis of collagen and cholesterol ester s 24 hours after incubation. Verapamil also prevented atherogenic seru m-induced accumulation of cholesterol in the cells isolated from norma l aortic intimal areas. No decrease in cellular cholesterol levels was observed when the cells had been incubated with verapamil in the medi um containing lipid-free serum. The findings suggest that the atherosc lerotic effect of verapamil, which was seen in the experiments with an imals, can be determined by the action of this drug on cellular proces ses.