Hemorheological effects of amlodipine in spontaneously hypertensive rats

OBJECTIVES: The effect of course administration of amlodipine on whole blood viscosity and on macro- and microrheological parameters was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SHRs were treated intragastrically with amlodipine at a dose of 10 mg/kg for 6 weeks. After finishing the course, hemodynamic and hemorheological parameters were measured. RESULTS: The antihypertensive treatment with amlodipine resulted in a significant decrease in mean blood pressure by 29% and left ventricular to body weight mass index by 7%. Nevertheless, BV tended to increase. The administration of amlodipine had no effect on PV, plasma fibrinogen concentration, RBC aggregation, and RBC deformability, but hematocrit was higher (by 6%) than it was in control group. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that amlodipine has no positive hemorheological improvements when administered to SHRs.