Rheological activity of propionyl L-carnitine

The authors have evaluated the efficacy of chronic administration of propionyl l-carnitine versus Buflomedil chlorhydrate in patients affected by vasculopathies. Patients were divided into two groups, A (n = 14) and B (n = 7); a third group C (n =7) was a control group of normal subjects. Groups A and C received 500 mg tablets of propionyl l-carnitine orally t.i.d. for 20 days. Group B received 40 mg of Buflomedil chlorhydrate i.v., b.i.d. for the same treatment period. Several blood cell viscosity parameters were evaluated. At the end of the trial it was possible to detect in the propionyl l-carnitine treated group a statistically significant decrease in haematic filtration time (HFT) and an increase in red blood cell flow velocity (Vrbc). Furthermore, some important rheological properties were noted, as demonstrated by modifications in the whole blood filtration, red blood cell flow velocity and viscosity of platelet-rich plasma following the addition of ADP.