title: Four-week treatment with Essaven gel in diabetic microangiopathy--a placebo-controlled, randomized study.
abstract: The involvement of the microcirculation in diabetic microangiopathy (DM) may be the cause of severe incapacitation and ulceration. DM is characterized by a diffuse increase in skin flux, reduction in venoarteriolar response, and increased permeability, resulting in edema. In this condition capillary exchanges are altered and nutritional alterations eventually lead to skin lesions and ulcers. The aim of this randomized, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the effect of local (foot) treatment with Essaven gel (EG) in 15 subjects with DM and neuropathy and treated with local application of EG for 4 weeks. Measurements of composite, average laser Doppler (LDF) flux (ten measurements points), in standardized conditions showed a significant decrease in flux in the EG group. The flux decrease was present even after 1 week after the suspension of treatment. Changes in the control group were not significant. In the placebo group, variations were limited (associated with skin manipulation and gel application). In conclusion local treatment for 4 weeks with standardized application of EG improves the microcirculation in subjects with DM. The changes are detectable even 1 week after the end of the treatment period.
authors.affiliation: Irvine2 Vascular Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chieti University and San Valentino Vascular Screening Project, Italy.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: De Sanctis
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Cesarone
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Incandela
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Belcaro
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Griffin
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000188:drug therapy; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000150:complications; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004928:Escin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010743:Phospholipids; D004928:Escin; C013980:Essaven Gel; D006493:Heparin