Effect of beraprost sodium on peripheral circulatory disturbances induced by various stimuli

Effects of beraprost sodium (sodium(+/-)-(1R*,2R*,3aS*,8bS*)-2,3,3a,8b-tetrahydro-2-hydr oxy-1- [(E)-(3S*)-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-octen-6-ynyl]-1H-cyclopenta[b] benzofuran- 5-butyrate, TRK-100), a stable prostacyclin analogue, on the peripheral circulatory disturbances induced by various vasoconstrictive stimuli were studied. Orally administered beraprost sodium (10, 30 micrograms/kg) caused increase in skin blood flow in anesthetized rats and rise in skin temperature in conscious rats. Intravenously administered beraprost sodium (0.01-0.3 microgram/kg) reduced the recovery time of decreased pulse pressure by topical cooling of the leg in anesthetized rats. In conscious rabbits, intravenous infusion of beraprost sodium (10 micrograms/kg/min) inhibited the fluctuation of ear artery diameter, and dilated the ear artery and vein, resulting in a rise in the ear temperature. In anesthetized dogs, intravenously administered beraprost sodium (0.313-5 micrograms/kg) caused decrease in femoral blood flow and muscle blood flow in the hindlimb, however, it caused increase in skin blood flow at the hind leg instep. Furthermore, intra-arterially administered beraprost sodium (0.1-0.3 microgram/kg/min) under stimulation of lumbar sympathetic nerve caused increase in femoral artery blood flow and selective increase in the skin blood flow without affecting muscle blood flow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)