1. Nilvadipine (FK 235, FR 34235) suppressed ischemia (20 min)-reflow (20 min)-induced paw edema of mice (ED30:0.4 mg/kg i.v. and 2 mg/kg p.o.). Other calcium entry blockers of dihydropyridine-type also suppressed the edema, but 30-fold higher doses were required. 2. Oral dosing of nilvadipine suppressed carrageenan-induced paw edema (ED30:15 mg/kg in rats and 20 mg/kg in mice) at a potency corresponding to that of an anti-inflammatory drug, ibuprofen. Nifedipine, nicardipine and nimodipine resulted in a suppression of 30% only with 100 mg/kg oral dosing in rats. Nitrendipine, diltiazem and verapamil were without effect. 3. Nilvadipine inhibited superoxide radical (O-2production from xanthine oxidase (XOD) both with lactate dehydrogenase + NADH method and cytochrome c method (IC50:90 and 100 micrograms/ml, respectively). Nifedipine and nicardipine showed some inhibition, but the other calcium entry blockers failed to inhibit significantly even at 320 micrograms/ml. As uric acid formation was not reduced by the tested drugs, the inhibitory action might be due to their O-2scavenging effects. 4. Superoxide production of neutrophils from casein-induced peritoneal fluid in rats was most strongly inhibited by nilvadipine when the cells were stimulated by a calcium ionophore, A23187 (IC50:4 micrograms/ml). Inhibition by this drug when stimulated by f-methonyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and phorbol myristate acetate was less effective (IC50:20 and 30 micrograms/ml, respectively). Nifedipine and nicardipine inhibited neutrophil O-2production at higher concentrations (30-200 micrograms/ml) with all stimulants. Inhibitory actions by other drugs were weak. 5. Triggering of atherosclerosis depends largely on the oxidative stress on blood vessels after recently established concept.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)