Nipradilol inhibits DNA synthesis by regulating nitric oxide synthesis in cultured rat mesangial cells

To elucidate whether nipradilol modulates mesangial cell function, we assessed the effects of nipradilol on DNA synthesis in the presence and absence of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in cultured rat mesangial cells stimulated with 1% fetal bovine serum. Nipradilol inhibited [H-3]thymidine incorporation into mesangial cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner. In addition, the anti-mitogenic effect of 100 mu M nipradilol was significantly inhibited in the presence of 10 mu M L-NAME. Moreover, nipradilol increased intracellular cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). These results suggest that nipradilol exerts its efficacy in the treatment of several types of glomerulonephritis with mesangial cell proliferation by increasing in intracellular cGMP. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.