Effect of verapamil on vascular endothelial growth factor production in immunocompetent cells

Abstract

Introduction: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as a cytokine, has a key role in inflammation and has been reported to be involved in some allergic diseases such as allergic contact dermatitis, anaphylaxis, rhinitis and asthma. Furthermore increased VEGF concentrations in airway inflammation and asthma exacerbation have been shown. Verapamil, as a calcium channel antagonist, has been widely used in treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Moreover the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of verapamil have been demonstrated. Besides the inhibitory effect of verapamil on bronchial inflammation has been shown. Aims and objectives: In the present study, the effect of verapamil on VEGF production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) has been evaluated in vitro. Methods: Human PBMCs were cultured in complete RPMI medium. The cells were stimulated with phytoheamagglutinin (PHA) and then incubated with different concentrations of verapamil(0.001-1000 µg/ml) in triplicate for 24 hours. The VEGF concentration in the cell culture supernatants was measured using a standard enzyme immunoassay kit. Results: Verapamil significantly decreased the VEGF production in PHA-stimulated human PBMCs dose-dependently. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that verapamil down- regulates the production of VEGF in human PBMCs. As VEGF has an important role in inflammation, the anti-inflammatory properties of verapamil may be partly due to its inhibitory effects on VEGF production. So verapamil might be a good candidate for controlling of inflammatory diseases such as asthma and rhinitis in which VEGF are over-expressed.