title: Pentoxyphylline in association with vitamin E reduces cutaneous fibrosis in systemic sclerosis.
abstract: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disorder characterized by skin thickness and vasculopathy. The objective of the study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of the association of pentoxyphylline and vitamin E in SSc patients. Twelve SSc patients (American College of Rheumatology criteria) enrolled this 24-week open-label study. Patients received daily 800 mg of pentoxyphylline and 800 UI of vitamin E and were evaluated at 4-week interval. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in Modified Rodnan Skin Score (MRSS) at week 24. Nine diffuse SSc patients treated 6 months with cyclophosphamide were used as a historical control group. The mean age of the treated group was 43.6 years, and ten of 12 (84%) patients were women. Their mean MRSS reduced from 25.7 to 18.7 (p = 0.03) at 16th week and remained significantly reduced throughout the study. In contrast, only a trend of MRSS reduction was observed in the historical control group (p = 0.06). Two patients started the study with active ischemic ulcers and ended with a complete healing of them. No serious side effects were reported. Pentoxyphylline and vitamin E might be an alternative therapeutic approach in SSc patients.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Division, Medical School, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 455, 30 andar, São Paulo, SP, 01246-903, Brazil. romy.souza@gmail.com
authors.forename: Romy Beatriz Christmann
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: André Regis
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Macedo
authors.forename: Kátia Akemi
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kuruma
authors.forename: Patricia Andrade
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Macedo
authors.forename: Claudia Teresa Lobato
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Borges
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D014810:Vitamin E; D010431:Pentoxifylline