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Anti-inflammatory effects of pentoxifylline in claudication
M S Currie1, D L Simel, R H Christenson
1Duke University, Durham, NC.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
|February 1, 1991
Summary
Pentoxifylline treatment reduced neutrophil elastase/alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor complex (E/alpha) and whole blood viscosity in patients with claudication. These changes suggest PTF may improve symptoms by reducing neutrophil activation and coagulation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Intermittent claudication is a common symptom of peripheral artery disease.
- Neutrophil activation and coagulation are implicated in the pathophysiology of claudication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of pentoxifylline (PTF) on markers of neutrophil activation and coagulation in patients with claudication.
- To explore the relationship between PTF's effects on these markers and clinical symptom improvement.
Main Methods:
- 19 patients with claudication received pentoxifylline (400 mg tid).
- Plasma neutrophil elastase/alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor complex (E/alpha) and crosslinked fibrin D-dimer fragments (XDP) were measured by ELISA.
- Whole blood viscosity (wbv) was also assessed.
Main Results:
- Plasma E/alpha levels decreased in patients with initially high levels.
- Whole blood viscosity was reduced in most patients after two months of PTF treatment.
- Changes in wbv correlated with changes in E/alpha, and XDP levels decreased when symptoms improved.
Conclusions:
- Pentoxifylline treatment may improve intermittent claudication by reducing microvascular neutrophil activation.
- Decreased coagulation activity, indicated by lower XDP levels, may also contribute to PTF's efficacy.
- The findings support a role for PTF in modulating inflammatory and thrombotic processes in claudication.