The aim of the study was to assess the dose dependence of the antiatherogenic effect of verapamil (Isoptin, Lek Ljubljana, Yugoslavia) in rabbits fed 1% cholesterol diet. Verapamil was administered subcutaneously at doses of 0.25, 1 and 2 mg.kg-1/day at 12-hour intervals for 8 weeks. The results indicate verapamil administered s.c. exerts a preventive anti-atherosclerotic effect only in therapeutic doses (0.25 mg.kg-1). The beneficial effect of low-dose verapamil can also be seen in the spectrum of serum lipids as the drug lowers the levels of total cholesterol and triacylglycerols. Compared with the results obtained from a group receiving diet without Ca-antagonist premedication, high doses do not reduce the extent of atheromatous plaques.

Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology Pharmaceutical Faculty Bratislava Czechoslovakia