[Current aspects of the mechanism of action of calcium antagonists in patients with diabetes mellitus].

The review summarizes recent data about the use of calcium channel blockers for the treatment of cardiovascular complications in patients with diabetes mellitus. It is shown that disturbances of Ca ion homeostasis play an important role in the pathogenesis of such diabetic complications as cardiomyopathy, microangiopathy, hypertension and the use of modern calcium channel antagonists for their treatment seems to be quite justified. However, despite definite positive effects of such treatment, these drugs should be used with care, especially if combined with derivatives of sulphonylurea as activators of the beta-cell function. Calcium channel blockers may intervene in the mechanism of the activity of beta-cells in which activation of the calcium channels is an obligatory link for triggering insulin secretion. Nevertheless, according to most of the authors, in such cases Ca antagonists can be recommended in moderate doses under continuous control of the hormonal status of the patient.