Amlodipine inhibits expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and its inhibitor in human vascular endothelial cells

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) may play an important role in the pathog enesis of atherosclerosis and atherosclerotic plaque rupture. We investigat ed the effect of the calcium channel blockers amlodipine and nifedipine on the expression of MMP-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloploteinase-1 (TIMP-1 ) in endothelial cells (ECs), MMP-1 and TIMP-1 levels in conditioned media of human vascular ECs were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. C ollagenolytic activity was determined by fluorescence-labeled collagen dige stion. The addition of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) increased MMP-1 level s in the culture media of ECs. Amlodipine, but not nifedipine, significantl y decreased MMP-1 levels in IL-1 beta-stimulated ECs. TIMP-1 levels also we re significantly increased by IL-1 beta, and its expression was slightly de creased by amlodipine, not by nifedipine. Amlodipine significantly inhibite d collagenolytic activity in the culture media of IL-1 beta-stimulated ECs, whereas nifedipine showed no significant effect on the activity. Our findi ngs revealed that amlodipine, but not nifedipine, inhibits IL-1 beta-induce d MMP-1 expression in human ECs.