TGF-β and TNF-α producing effects of losartan and amlodipine on human mononuclear cell culture

Aim: The modulation of cytokine release, which affects adhesion of leucocytes to endothelial cells, and proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with antihypertensive drugs was explored. Method: In the present study, mononuclear cells were incubated with losartan and amlodipine at concentrations of 10−6, 10−5 and 10−4 mol/L for 6 h. Transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α levels were measured. Proliferation of mononuclear cells were assessed at the same concentrations of amlodipine and losartan with the methylthiazoletetrazolium (MTT) test. Results: Amlodipine was found to induce TGF‐β synthesis from mononuclear cells with increasing concentrations, while it was found to inhibit TNF‐α secretion with increasing concentrations. In contrast, losartan was found to induce TGF‐β and TNF‐α secretion with increasing concentrations. Conclusion: Anti‐atherosclerotic effects of amlodipine and losartan might be through increased secretion of TGF‐β from mononuclear cells. Different results at different concentrations might be due to the pharmocokinetic differences of these drugs.