Pentoxifylline increases extremity blood flow in diabetic atherosclerotic patients.
Pentoxifylline, a new trisubstituted methylxanthine derivative known for its hemorrheologic action, has been shown to improve exercise tolerance in atherosclerotic patients. We examined the responses of diabetic atherosclerotic patients to pentoxifylline administration, measured by Doppler waveform analysis and exercise tolerance. Standard exercise tolerance and Doppler waveform analytic studies of the lower extremity, specifically the right dorsalis pedis artery, were performed before and after three months of pentoxifylline administration (400 mg three times a day). The study group comprised ten subjects (six men and four women) with a mean (+/- SD) age of 60 +/- 3.3 years. Data were analyzed using a paired Student t test. All ten subjects showed a significant increase in exercise tolerance after pentoxifylline treatment. Eight of ten subjects demonstrated a significant increase in right dorsalis pedis arterial flow.
Schwartz
R W
RW
Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Chandler Medical Center, Lexington 40536-0084.
Logan
N M
NM
Johnson
P J
PJ
Strodel
W E
WE
Fine
J G
JG
Kazmers
A
A
Hyde
G L
GL
D001158:Arteries; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D013805:Theobromine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
D013805:Theobromine; D010431:Pentoxifylline