Authors: Mazzone, A.; Faggioli, P.; Cusa, C.; Stefanin, C.; Rondena, M.; Morelli, B.

Source: European Journal of Clinical Investigation, Volume 32, Number 12, December 2002 , pp. 882-888(7)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Background

Iloprost has beneficial effects on microcirculation by preventing platelet and leukocyte reciprocal activation, which is known to lead to endothelial damage and acute thrombosis. This drug also reduces inflammatory system activation by decreasing αΜβ2 integrin expression on the phagocyte membrane, might have a role in the protection and restoration of endothelial integrity and might interact with coagulation cascade activation. Design

Forty patients were enrolled: 29 with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and 11 with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Iloprost was administered for 5 days in the first group and for 21 days in second group of patients. To ascertain whether iloprost modifies the parameters of endothelial and coagulation cascade activations, the plasma concentrations of S-ICAM-1 and F1 + 2 were detected in patients at baseline, after 5 days and, in PAD patients only, after 21 days of iloprost therapy. S-ICAM-1 is the endothelial counter receptor for αΜβ2 integrin and is a marker of endothelial cell activation; and F1 + 2 is a marker of coagulation cascade activation. Results

After infusion of iloprost a significant decrease of S-ICAM-1 was observed in both the SSc (P < 0·002) and PAD patients (P < 0·004). Similarly, a significant decrease of F1 + 2 was observed in the SSc (P < 0·0004) and PAD patients (P < 0·003). Conclusions

The study provides evidence that iloprost reduces endothelial cells and coagulation cascade activations. Both of these mechanisms are responsible for improvement in microvascular functional capacity and for the long-term clinical benefit observed. After iloprost infusion, the SSc patients showed marked reductions in F1 + 2 and S-ICAM-1 concentrations that were statistically more significant relative to the PAD patients.

Keywords: Adhesion molecules; atherosclerosis; F1 + 2; iloprost; systemic sclerosis

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2362.2002.01095.x

Affiliations: 1: Ospedale Civile di Legnano, Legnano, Milan, Italy

Publication date: 2002-12-01

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