Nimodipine inhibits the pressor activity of diaspirin-crosslinked hemoglobin (DCLHb) in the rat.

Impaired nitric oxide (NO) activity is associated with an increase in blood pressure in rats. Voltage-regulated calcium channels are believed to participate in this hemodynamic event. To further test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of nimodipine and verapamil (calcium antagonists) on the pressor activity of diaspirin-crosslinked hemoglobin (DCLHb), a well-known NO scavenger, in anesthetized rats. Nimodipine, the most potent of the two calcium antagonists used, was also tested against phenylephrine (alpha1-adrenoceptor agonist). The pressor effect of DCLHb was reduced markedly by nimodipine and verapamil, whereas that elicited by phenylephrine, particularly the tonic phase of its pressor response, was resistant to blockade by nimodipine. The bradycardia and tachycardia associated with the pressor effects of DCLHb and phenylephrine, respectively, were not affected by nimodipine. The pressor effect elicited by DCLHb and its alteration by nimodipine were also examined in rats pretreated with 100% O2. This treatment was found to potentiate the pressor effect of DCLHb. However, this synergism did not impair the inhibitory action of nimodipine towards the pressor activity of DCLHb. Altogether these results suggest that the pressor activity of DCLHb in our animal model might involve the participation of voltage-regulated calcium channels.