Buflomedil: potential new indications for an old agent

Our understanding of vascular pathophysiology has significantly improved during the past two decades. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have an increased vascular risk and a series of modifiable risk factors play a crucial role in the atherosclerotic process. The microvascular dysfunction in diabetes results in increased vascular permeability and impaired regulation of blood flow and vascular tone. These changes culminate in nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy and probably contribute to the increase vascular morbidity and mortality in this population. Moreover, studies in the skin microvasculature suggest that this microvascular dysfunction contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of diabetic foot. Several studies showed a beneficial effect of vasoactive drugs, including buflomedil, in non-diabetic patients. However, it remains to be established whether these drugs could also be beneficial in the diabetic population, especially in the early stages of diabetes.