title: Treating peripheral arterial occlusive disease: pentoxifylline vs exercise.
abstract: The effects of three months therapy with Pentoxifylline (800 mg three times daily) and physical training were compared in two age- and sex-matched groups of Stage II PAOD patients. Before therapy and after 12 and 13 weeks each patient underwent a standard treadmill test. The maximum walking time, TcPO2 half recovery time to basal values after the induced ischaemia, granulocyte production of free radicals (by the superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome) and surface expression of the CD11/CD18 complex of adhesion molecules (by using specific monoclonal antibodies) were determined. Pentoxifylline inhibited free radical production and reduced the percentage of granulocytes expressing adhesion receptors while exercise had no significant effect on these parameters. These changes, which reflect improved microcirculatory functioning, were associated with a greater walking capacity and shorter half recovery time (+14% vs exercise group, p < 0.01; -39% vs exercise group, p < 0.01 respectively).
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciuffetti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paltriccia
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lombardini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lupattelli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pasqualini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mannarino
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D018845:CD11 Antigens; D018821:CD18 Antigens; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005609:Free Radicals; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D018845:CD11 Antigens; D018821:CD18 Antigens; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D005609:Free Radicals; D010431:Pentoxifylline