Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2026

Screening Assays to Characterize Novel Endothelial Regulators Involved in the Inflammatory Response
Published on: September 15, 2017
A stable prostacyclin analogue reduces high serum TNF-alpha levels in diabetic patients
K Fujiwara1, A Nagasaka, M Nagata
1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Kutsukake-cho, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.
Aims:
To confirm whether a prostacyclin (prostaglandin I (2)) affects the increased TNF-alpha concentration in sera of diabetic patients, we measured serum TNF-alpha concentration and treated these patients with oral administration of the stable prostacyclin analogue (Beraprost). Twelve of 20 type II diabetic patients were investigated for follow up-study and 6 of those patients were for therapy with Beraprost for diabetic neuropathy.
Subjects And Methods:
Serum TNF-alpha concentration was quantified by EASIA using monoclonal antibodies directed against distinct epitopes of TNF-alpha.
Results:
In diabetic patients, serum TNF-alpha concentration was significantly increased compared with that of healthy subjects. The augmented TNF-alpha concentration in these patients was not decreased by diabetic control using antihyperglycemic agents for 8 weeks but was reduced with oral administration of a stable prostacyclin (prostaglandin I (2)) analogue for 5 weeks without any changes of blood glucose levels.
Conclusions:
Stable prostacyclin analogue administration for a short term period reduced increased TNF-alpha levels in diabetic patients, not through the improved hyperglycemic condition but another pathway, probably a cAMP system. These results imply that treatment with the prostacyclin analogue may contribute to the prevention of progression in diabetic complications.
Related Concept Videos
Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors
Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by the widely known aspirin, wield their power by irreversibly acetylating...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Prostaglandin Analogs as Mucosal Protective Agents
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can induce peptic ulcers by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, decreasing...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
