Prostaglandin E1-therapy reduces circulating adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, E-selectin, VCAM-1) in peripheral vascular disease

It has been postulated that adhesion molecules (AM) may be involved in development and progression of human atherosclerosis. We examined whether prostaglandin (PG) E1 affects circulating levels of the AM (ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin) in peripheral vascular disease (PVD) patients.

AM are significantly (p < 0.01) increased in PVD (n = 65) as compared to controls (n = 31). There was no influence of risk factors. 26 PVD-patients received 2 different schemes of PGE1-therapy (group A [n = 17]; 5 ng PGE1/kg/min x 6 h x 5 d x 4 wk; group B [n = 9]; 60 micrograms PGE1/2 h x 5 d x 2 wk). PGE1 decreases all the AM significantly (p < 0.01) using both therapeutic schemes. Stopping PGE1-therapy reverses values within about 4 weeks. Details on therapeutic regimens (dose, duration, route, etc.) and individual response still need to be assessed.

Our results indicate that PGE1-treatment of PVD is associated with a significant benefit on circulating AM. These findings are in line with the described anti-inflammatory actions of PGE1 and may represent a further contributing factor to the great variety of beneficial actions of PGE1 on human atherosclerosis.