Nitrendipine (also known as Bayotensin or Nidrel) is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that may be used for treatment of hypertension. Nitrendipine binds the major channel in muscle cells: L-type calcium channels. Binding of nitrendipine on L-type calcium channels can change channels' confirmation to its inactive form, so that the channel couldn't faciltate the influx of calcium ions, which leads to decreased arterial smooth muscle contractility and subsequent vasoconstriction. Activated mysoin light chain kinase (MLCK) is required for muscle contraction since it can catalyze the phosphorylation of the regulatory light chain subunit of myosin. Without calcium ions in muscle cell, calmodulin couldn't form the calcium-bound calmodulin, which is required for binding and activating MLCK. Lack of initial influx of calcium can also reduce the level of contractile activity of muscle cells and results in vasodilation, which ultimately lead to overall decresing in blood pressure.

Nitrendipine Pathway References

Striated Muscle Contraction References