Venodilatory effect of pranidipine, a calcium channel blocker, monitored with perfluorocarbon in vivo 19F-NMR spectroscopy

We previously reported that the 19F-NMR signal intensity of perfluorocarbon was increased by a venodilator, nitroglycerine, and decreased by an arteriodilator, hydralazine. In the present study, we demonstrated that pranidipine, a calcium channel blocker, increased the intensity of the FC-43 signal, while nifedipine, a prototype of calcium channel blockers, did not. These results suggest that pranidipine dilates the venous system in contrast to nifedipine.