Reaction of capillary blood cell velocity in nailfold capillaries to L-carnitine in patients with vasospastic disease.
By using nailfold videomicroscopy in conjunction with local cold exposure, the haemodynamic responses in capillary blood cell velocity were evaluated in 12 patients with vasospastic disease after receiving L-carnitine 3 g per day orally for 20 days. The results obtained showed that the cold-induced blood flow stop duration was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased and capillary blood cell velocity significantly (P < 0.05) increased after local cooling. Systolic blood pressure was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased after treatment with L-carnitine. Diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and skin temperature did not differ significantly before and after treatment. There were no significant differences in the meteorologic data such as atmospheric temperature, atmospheric pressure or atmospheric hygrometry between the two investigations. It is concluded that L-carnitine might be a useful agent in the treatment of digital vasospastic disease. In addition, in vivo videomicroscopy is one of the few non-invasive and clinically useful direct methods for evaluating the effect of a drug on the microcirculation.
Gasser
P
P
Medical Outpatient Department, University Clinic, Basel, Switzerland.
Martina
B
B
Dubler
B
B
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002196:Capillaries / Q000187:drug effects; D002331:Carnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009262:Nails / Q000098:blood supply*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology
D002331:Carnitine