Effect of nicardipine on fasting plasma lipids and apolipoproteins in male new zealand white rabbits.

The effect of nicardipine on fasting plasma lipid profiles was studied in rabbits given a 2% cholesterol diet. Twenty four New Zealand White rabbits (2.2 - 2.8 kg) were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (control) was fed a normal diet, group II (HC) was fed a 2% cholesterol diet and group III (HC+NICA) was fed a 2% cholesterol diet with nicardipine treatment (0.5mg kg(-1) body weight twice daily intramuscularly for 10 weeks). The following parameters which included fasting plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A and B were measured before and after 10 weeks of study. In the present study we observed that a 2% cholesterol diet caused a significant increase in plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. However, the increase in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were not prevented by treatment with nicardipine. Nicardipine appeared to cause further increase in HDL cholesterol and prevented further rise in plasma triglycerides after 10 weeks of treatment.