['Amlodipine, a long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, is able to improve angiotensin II-mediated vascular endothelial dysfunction. However, the underlying mechanism remains not fully understood. In the present study we attempted to determine whether the protective effect of amlodipine against Ang II-induced endothelial impairment was mediated through blockage of endothelial cell apoptosis.', 'We pretreated human umbilical venous endothelial cells with increasing doses of amlodipine (10(-8)-10(-6) M) followed by the addition of Ang II. Cell apoptosis was assessed by acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining and by annexin-V/propidium iodide double-labeled cytometry. The involvement of the apoptosis regulators, Bcl-2, Bax, and lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1, was determined.', 'Pretreatment with amlodipine resulted in a dose-dependent suppression of Ang II-induced HUVEC apoptosis. Moreover, the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was found to be increased in cells pretreated with amlodipine, indicating an enhanced anti-apoptosis potential. Additionally, the induction of LOX-1 by Ang II was remarkably counteracted by the pre-exposure to amlodipine.'] Does amlodipine treatment prevent angiotensin II-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell apoptosis?