Treatment of blood hyperviscosity with calcium dobesilate in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
This double-blind randomized trial was carried out on 37 patients with diabetic retinopathy and blood hyperviscosity. 19 patients received calcium dobesilate in capsules of 500 mg 3 times daily for 3 months and 18 patients took 3 placebo capsules daily during the same period. Calcium dobesilate was found to reduce whole-blood viscosity in a statistically significant manner which was accompanied by a diminution of the albumin/globulin ratio and a significant reduction of fibrinogen and cholesterol levels. A statistically significant diminution of capillary fragility was also observed in the calcium dobesilate-treated group. These results indicate that calcium dobesilate, by restoring the integrity of the microvessels, and by lowering blood viscosity, could act favorably on the evolution of diabetic retinopathy.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001557:Benzenesulfonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000187:drug effects*; D002123:Calcium Dobesilate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D012712:Serum Globulins / Q000032:analysis
D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D012709:Serum Albumin; D012712:Serum Globulins; D002123:Calcium Dobesilate; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002784:Cholesterol