title: Vasodilative effects of prostaglandin E1 derivate on arteries of nerve roots in a canine model of a chronically compressed cauda equina.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reduction of blood flow is important in the induction of neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC) in lumbar spinal canal stenosis. PGE1 improves the mean walking distance in patients with NIC type cauda equina compression. PGE1 derivate might be effective in dilating blood vessels and improving blood flow in nerve roots with chronically compressed cauda equina. The aim of this study was to assess whether PGE1 derivate has vasodilatory effects on both arteries and veins in a canine model of chronic cauda equina compression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen dogs were used in this study. A plastic balloon inflated to 10 mmHg was placed under the lamina of the 7th lumbar vertebra for 1 week. OP-1206-cyclodextrin clathrate (OP-1206-CD: prostaglandin E1 derivate) was administered orally. The blood vessels of the second or third sacral nerve root were identified using a specially designed surgical microscope equipped with a video camera. The diameter of the blood vessels was measured on video-recordings every 15 minutes until 90 minutes after the administration of the PGE1 derivate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed seven arteries and seven veins. The diameter and blood flow of the arteries was significantly increased compared with the veins at both 60 and 75 minutes after administration of the PGE1 derivate (p < 0.05). Blood flow velocity did not change over 90 minutes in either the arteries or veins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PGE1 derivate improved blood flow in the arteries but did not induce blood stasis in the veins. Our results suggest that the PGE1 derivate might be a potential therapeutic agent, as it improved blood flow in the nerve roots in a canine model of chronic cauda equina compression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Fukushima Medical University Hospital, 1-Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan. fortho@fmu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Masayoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shirasaka
authors.forename: Bunji
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Takayama
authors.forename: Miho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sekiguchi
authors.forename: Shin-ichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Konno
authors.forename: Shin-ichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
mesh_terms: D000527:Alprostadil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000098:blood supply*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014680:Veins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000527:Alprostadil