The effects of allopurinol on skeletal muscle microcirculation in normal and dystrophic mice

Allopurinol lowers peripheral vascular resistance in dogs, and it has beneficial effects upon muscular dystrophy patients. Since it has been suggested that muscular dystrophy may result from muscle ischemia, we decided to investigate the effects of allopurinol on skeletal muscle blood flow in normal and dystrophic mice. Arterioloar red cell velocity and diameters were measured in the cremaster muscle and used to calculate blood flow. Allopurinol (5 mg/kg, i.p.) resulted in an 81% increase in arteriolar blood flow in normal mice and a 102% increase in dystrophic mice. Such an increase in microcirculatory perfusion could be a mechanism contributing to the clinical effects of allopurinol.