Safety and efficacy of miltefosine monotherapy and pentoxifylline associated with pentavalent antimony in treating mucosal leishmaniasis.

INTRODUCTION: Mucosal Leishmaniasis (ML) is a difficult to treat and severe form of Leishmaniasis. In general, more than 40% of subjects with ML have therapeutic failure upon the use of pentavalent antimony (Sbv) at 20mg/kg/day during 30 days. Additionally, Sbv is a toxic drug that requires parenteral administration, and many patients will need several courses to be cured. In cases that cannot be treated or cured by Sbv, the alternative is amphotericin B, another toxic and parenteral drug. As a consequence, many ML patients will be cured only after years of disease and may present several morbidities due to the aggressiveness of the disease or toxicity related to the treatment. Areas covered: We aimed to review clinical trials with Miltefosine or Sbv associated with pentoxifylline in the treatment of ML. Expert commentary: There are few studies to define more effective and safer therapy in mucosal disease caused by Leishmania, with an urgent need to supporting and funding well designed trials. Miltefosine monotherapy, as well as pentoxifylline combined with Sbv are promising therapeutic approaches to increase the cure rate of this neglected disease.

Treatment of Type-1 Hepatorenal Syndrome with Pentoxifylline: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Type-1 hepatorenal syndrome (HRS-1) portends a poor prognosis in patients with cirrhosis. Currently available medical therapies are largely ineffective, save for liver transplantation. We aimed to determine if pentoxifylline (PTX) therapy in addition to the standard of care of volume expansion with albumin and vasoconstriction with midodrine and octreotide (AMO) is safe and efficacious compared to AMO in HRS-1 treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hospitalized subjects with decompensated cirrhosis and HRS-1 were enrolled. PTX or placebo was administered with AMO therapy for up to 14 days. The primary endpoint was HRS-1 resolution (serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 g/dL for > 24 h). Secondary endpoints were change in creatinine and MELD score, partial treatment response, 30-and 180-day overall and transplant free survival. RESULTS: Twelve subjects with mean age 58.9 ± 6.2 years were enrolled and randomized. Mean MELD score was 26.5 ± 7.4 and 58.3% were male. Overall cohort 30- and 180-day survival was 58.3% and 33.3% respectively. Two subjects underwent liver transplantation. HRS-1 resolution (16.7% vs. 16.7%, p = 1.000), partial treatment response (33.3% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.505), change in creatinine (+0.48 g/dL, 95% CI -0.49-1.46 vs. +0.03 g/dL, 95% CI -0.64- 0.70, p = 0.427), 30-day survival (66.6% vs. 50.0%, p = 0.558) and 180-day survival (50.0% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.221) were similar between the two groups. Serious adverse events necessitating treatment discontinuation were rare (n = 1, PTX). DISCUSSION: The addition of PTX to AMO in the treatment of HRS-1 is safe when compared to the current standard of care. Future large-scale prospective study to validate the efficacy of this treatment seems warranted.

Addition of pentoxifylline to pegylated interferon-alpha-2a and ribavirin improves sustained virological response to chronic hepatitis C virus: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The commonly accepted treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, pegylated interferon alpha (PEG INF-alpha) and ribavirin, leads to 50-60% of sustained virological response (SVR). On the other hand, pentoxifylline (PTX) possesses antiviral and hepatoprotector properties. AIM: To investigate whether the addition of PTX to conventional hepatitis C treatment increases SVR. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy two patients of both genders were studied in a randomized fashion; the diagnosis of chronic HCV infection was made according to clinical and laboratory criteria and histopathologically classified according to METAVIR scoring system criteria. HCV viral load was tested by PCR, baseline, and after 6 months of treatment, as well as anti-HCV, anti-hepatitis B virus , and anti-human immunodeficiency virus antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. During 48 weeks, control group patients were treated with PEG INF-alpha- 2a plus ribavirin. PTX was administered to Experimental Group patients prior to the treatment. RESULTS: Demographic data were similar in both groups. Experimental- and control-group subjects were at F2 and F3 states according to the METAVIR classification. The most common HCV genotypes were 1a and 1b (39% in the control group in each case, and 42% in the experimental group in each case). At the end of the study, hepatic enzymes and viral load decreased in both groups to similar values. SVR in the experimental group increased significantly (p < 0.05) when compared with standard therapy alone. CONCLUSION: Addition of PTX to conventional chronic hepatitis C treatment may increase the percentage of patients with SVR.

Pentoxifylline for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: The burden of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is growing and current pharmacologic treatments are limited by side effects and inconsistent efficacy. Pilot studies suggest that pentoxifylline (PTX) can reduce liver injury in patients with NASH. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the tolerability of PTX and its effect on aminotransferases and liver histology in patients with NASH. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients with biopsy proven NASH were randomized in a 2:1 fashion to receive 1,200 mg PTX or placebo for 12 months. Metabolic parameters, aminotransferases, liver histology and hepatic gene expression changes were compared. RESULTS: At baseline the groups were similar. Adverse events were mild, most frequently headache and abdominal cramps, and did not differ between groups (p = NS). After 12 months, ALT and AST decreased from 92 ± 12 IU/L to 67 ± 13 IU/L and 67 ± 6 IU/L to 47 ± 6 IU/L (p < 0.05), respectively in patients treated with PTX. No significant effect was seen with placebo. Steatosis and cellular ballooning improved in the PTX group (p < 0.05), whereas no histological feature of steatohepatitis improved with placebo. However, between groups comparison of both biochemical and histological features were nonsignificant. CONCLUSION: Pentoxifylline is safe, well tolerated and improves transaminases and histology in patients with NASH when compared to baseline and may be a reasonable therapeutic modality for the treatment of NASH. However PTX failed to reduce transaminases compared to placebo and did not positively affect any of the metabolic markers postulated to contribute to NASH. Although animal data and small pilot studies in humans have suggested that PTX may be effective as a treatment for NASH, translating this therapy to clinical practice may prove challenging.

Pentoxyphylline in association with vitamin E reduces cutaneous fibrosis in systemic sclerosis.

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.

Systemic treatment in severe cases of recurrent aphthous stomatitis: an open trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the systemic drugs thalidomide, dapsone, colchicine, and pentoxifylline in the treatment of severe manifestations of RAS. METHODS: An open, 4-year clinical trial was carried out for 21 consecutive patients with severe RAS. Initially, patients were given a 2-week course of prednisone to bring them to a baseline status. Simultaneously, one of the four test drugs was assigned to each patient to be taken for a period of 6 months. During the course of the trial, patients were switched to one of the other three drugs whenever side effects or a lack of satisfactory results occurred, and the 6-month limit of the treatment was then reset. RESULTS: The most efficient and best-tolerated drug was thalidomide, which was administered to a total of eight patients and resulted in complete remission in seven (87.5%). Dapsone was prescribed for a total of nine patients, of whom eight (89%) showed improvement in their symptoms, while five showed complete remission. Colchicine was administered to a total of ten patients, with benefits observed in nine (90%), of whom four showed complete remission. Pentoxyfilline was administered to a total of five patients, with benefits observed in three (60%), of whom one patient showed complete remission. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic methods used in this trial provided significant symptom relief. Patients experienced relapses of the lesions; however, this occurred after withdrawal of their medication during the follow-up period.

Efeito da adição de trolox e pentoxifilina na motilidade, integridade do acrossoma e do DNA de espermatozoides equinos após descongelação / Effect of trolox and pentoxifylline on motility and integrity of, acrossome and DNA of equine spermatozoa after thawing

Três garanhões foram utilizados para estudar o efeito da adição de trolox e pentoxifilina na motilidade, integridade do acrossoma e DNA de espermatozoides pós-descongelação. Para congelação, utilizou-se Tris-gema com glicerol (5 por cento) em máquina de congelação de sêmen. As amostras foram descongeladas a 37ºC durante 30 segundos e tratadas com: T1= 150µL de sêmen + 150µL de Tris; T2= 150µL de sêmen + 150µL de Tris + 120µM/mL de trolox; T3= 150µL de sêmen + 150µL de Tris + 3,5mM de pentoxifilina e T4= 150µL de sêmen + 150µL de Tris + 3,5mM de pentoxifilina + 120µM/mL de trolox. Após 0, 60 e 120 minutos de incubação (37ºC), as amostras foram analisadas quanto à motilidade, vigor, integridade de acrossoma e DNA. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) entre tratamentos após 0 e 60 minutos de incubação em todos os parâmetros estudados. Após 120 minutos de incubação, verificou-se maior porcentual (P<0,05) de células com motilidade total e progressiva nas amostras do T2. Conclui-se que a adição de trolox após descongelação do sêmen equino preserva a motilidade total e progressiva dos espermatozoides submetidos à incubação a 37ºC durante 120 minutos.

Three stallions were used to study the effect of trolox and pentoxifylline addition on the motility and integrity of acrossome and DNA equine spermatozoa after thawing. Tris-egg-yolg diluent with glycerol (5 percent) were used to freeze the semen samples in a freezing machine. The samples were thawed at 37ºC during 30 seconds and treated with: T1=150µL of semen + 150µL of Tris; T2= 150µL of semen + 150µL of Tris +150mM/mL of trolox; T3= 150µL of semen + 150µL Tris +3.5mM of pentoxifylline; and T4= 150µL of semen + 150µL of Tris + 3.5mM of pentoxifylline + 150mM of trolox. After 0, 60, and 120 minutes of incubation (37ºC), the samples were analyzed to motility, vigor, and integrity of acrossome and DNA. There was no difference (P>0.05) among treatments considering 0 and 60 minutes of incubation in all studied parameters. After 120 minutes of incubation, it was observed higher percentage (P<0.05) of cells with total and progressive motility in the samples of T2. It can be concluded that the trolox addition after thawing of equine semen preserved total and progressive motility of the sperm incubated at 37ºC during 120 minutes.

Efeito do uso de pentoxifilina no período neonatal sobre a produção espermática em ratos Wistar adultos / Effect of pentoxifylline during neonatal period on spermatic production in adult Wistar rats

Utilizaram-se doses crescentes de pentoxifilina em ratos Wistar neonatos visando aumentar a produção espermática em animais adultos. Trinta e sete animais foram distribuídos de acordo com os tratamentos: não tratados (n=10) e tratados com 1mg/kg (n=10), 5mg/kg (n=9) e 10mg/kg (n=8) de pentoxifilina (IP). Aos 90 dias, os animais foram anestesiados e perfundidos intracardiacamente com solução fixadora. Os testículos foram processados rotineiramente para inclusão em resina plástica à base de glicol metacrilato. Cortes histológicos de 4µm de espessura foram corados em azul de toluidina/borato de sódio a 1 por cento e analisados histometricamente. O número de células de Sertoli por secção transversal diminuiu nos grupos tratados com 5mg/kg e 10mg/kg em relação aos grupos controle e tratado com 1mg/kg. O índice de células de Sertoli aumentou nos animais tratados com 5mg/kg em comparação aos do grupo-controle. A utilização da pentoxifilina não foi capaz de induzir aumento na população das células de Sertoli e produção espermática em ratos adultos.

Increasing doses of pentoxifylline were administrated to newborn Wistar rats in order to augment Sertoli cell number and sperm production in the adult rats. Thirty-seven neonate Wistar rats were distributed in four groups: control (n=10) and treated with 1mg/kg (n=10), 5mg/kg (n=9), and 10mg/kg (n=8) of pentoxifylline. At 90 days, the animals were submitted to anesthesia and intracardiac perfusion. Testes were colleted and routinely processed for inclusion in plastic resin with glycol methacrylate. Histological sections (4µm) were stained in toluidine blue/sodium borate (1 percent) and analyzed. Number of Sertoli cell per transversal section of seminiferous tubule had significant reduction in the groups treated with 5mg/kg and 10mg/kg of pentoxifylline as compared to control and the group that received 1mg/kg (P<0.05). The Sertoli cell index significantly increased in the group treated with 5mg/kg compared to control group. Pentoxifylline did not cause increase in the number of Sertoli cells and daily sperm production in adult male rats.

Efeito do uso de pentoxifilina no período neonatal sobre a produção espermática em ratos Wistar adultos / Effect of pentoxifylline during neonatal period on spermatic production in adult Wistar rats

Utilizaram-se doses crescentes de pentoxifilina em ratos Wistar neonatos visando aumentar a produção espermática em animais adultos. Trinta e sete animais foram distribuídos de acordo com os tratamentos: não tratados (n=10) e tratados com 1mg/kg (n=10), 5mg/kg (n=9) e 10mg/kg (n=8) de pentoxifilina (IP). Aos 90 dias, os animais foram anestesiados e perfundidos intracardiacamente com solução fixadora. Os testículos foram processados rotineiramente para inclusão em resina plástica à base de glicol metacrilato. Cortes histológicos de 4µm de espessura foram corados em azul de toluidina/borato de sódio a 1 por cento e analisados histometricamente. O número de células de Sertoli por secção transversal diminuiu nos grupos tratados com 5mg/kg e 10mg/kg em relação aos grupos controle e tratado com 1mg/kg. O índice de células de Sertoli aumentou nos animais tratados com 5mg/kg em comparação aos do grupo-controle. A utilização da pentoxifilina não foi capaz de induzir aumento na população das células de Sertoli e produção espermática em ratos adultos.(AU)

Increasing doses of pentoxifylline were administrated to newborn Wistar rats in order to augment Sertoli cell number and sperm production in the adult rats. Thirty-seven neonate Wistar rats were distributed in four groups: control (n=10) and treated with 1mg/kg (n=10), 5mg/kg (n=9), and 10mg/kg (n=8) of pentoxifylline. At 90 days, the animals were submitted to anesthesia and intracardiac perfusion. Testes were colleted and routinely processed for inclusion in plastic resin with glycol methacrylate. Histological sections (4µm) were stained in toluidine blue/sodium borate (1 percent) and analyzed. Number of Sertoli cell per transversal section of seminiferous tubule had significant reduction in the groups treated with 5mg/kg and 10mg/kg of pentoxifylline as compared to control and the group that received 1mg/kg (P<0.05). The Sertoli cell index significantly increased in the group treated with 5mg/kg compared to control group. Pentoxifylline did not cause increase in the number of Sertoli cells and daily sperm production in adult male rats.(AU)

Efeito da adição de trolox e pentoxifilina na motilidade, integridade do acrossoma e do DNA de espermatozoides equinos após descongelação / Effect of trolox and pentoxifylline on motility and integrity of, acrossome and DNA of equine spermatozoa after thawing

Três garanhões foram utilizados para estudar o efeito da adição de trolox e pentoxifilina na motilidade, integridade do acrossoma e DNA de espermatozoides pós-descongelação. Para congelação, utilizou-se Tris-gema com glicerol (5 por cento) em máquina de congelação de sêmen. As amostras foram descongeladas a 37ºC durante 30 segundos e tratadas com: T1= 150µL de sêmen + 150µL de Tris; T2= 150µL de sêmen + 150µL de Tris + 120µM/mL de trolox; T3= 150µL de sêmen + 150µL de Tris + 3,5mM de pentoxifilina e T4= 150µL de sêmen + 150µL de Tris + 3,5mM de pentoxifilina + 120µM/mL de trolox. Após 0, 60 e 120 minutos de incubação (37ºC), as amostras foram analisadas quanto à motilidade, vigor, integridade de acrossoma e DNA. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) entre tratamentos após 0 e 60 minutos de incubação em todos os parâmetros estudados. Após 120 minutos de incubação, verificou-se maior porcentual (P<0,05) de células com motilidade total e progressiva nas amostras do T2. Conclui-se que a adição de trolox após descongelação do sêmen equino preserva a motilidade total e progressiva dos espermatozoides submetidos à incubação a 37ºC durante 120 minutos.(AU)

Three stallions were used to study the effect of trolox and pentoxifylline addition on the motility and integrity of acrossome and DNA equine spermatozoa after thawing. Tris-egg-yolg diluent with glycerol (5 percent) were used to freeze the semen samples in a freezing machine. The samples were thawed at 37ºC during 30 seconds and treated with: T1=150µL of semen + 150µL of Tris; T2= 150µL of semen + 150µL of Tris +150mM/mL of trolox; T3= 150µL of semen + 150µL Tris +3.5mM of pentoxifylline; and T4= 150µL of semen + 150µL of Tris + 3.5mM of pentoxifylline + 150mM of trolox. After 0, 60, and 120 minutes of incubation (37ºC), the samples were analyzed to motility, vigor, and integrity of acrossome and DNA. There was no difference (P>0.05) among treatments considering 0 and 60 minutes of incubation in all studied parameters. After 120 minutes of incubation, it was observed higher percentage (P<0.05) of cells with total and progressive motility in the samples of T2. It can be concluded that the trolox addition after thawing of equine semen preserved total and progressive motility of the sperm incubated at 37ºC during 120 minutes.(AU)

Systemic treatment in severe cases of recurrent aphthous stomatitis: an open trial

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the systemic drugs thalidomide, dapsone, colchicine, and pentoxifylline in the treatment of severe manifestations of RAS. METHODS: An open, 4-year clinical trial was carried out for 21 consecutive patients with severe RAS. Initially, patients were given a 2-week course of prednisone to bring them to a baseline status. Simultaneously, one of the four test drugs was assigned to each patient to be taken for a period of 6 months. During the course of the trial, patients were switched to one of the other three drugs whenever side effects or a lack of satisfactory results occurred, and the 6-month limit of the treatment was then reset. RESULTS: The most efficient and best-tolerated drug was thalidomide, which was administered to a total of eight patients and resulted in complete remission in seven (87.5 percent). Dapsone was prescribed for a total of nine patients, of whom eight (89 percent) showed improvement in their symptoms, while five showed complete remission. Colchicine was administered to a total of ten patients, with benefits observed in nine (90 percent), of whom four showed complete remission. Pentoxyfilline was administered to a total of five patients, with benefits observed in three (60 percent), of whom one patient showed complete remission. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic methods used in this trial provided significant symptom relief. Patients experienced relapses of the lesions; however, this occurred after withdrawal of their medication during the follow-up period.

Isquemia e reperfusão de músculo sóleo de ratos sob ação da pentoxífilina / Ischemia and reperfusion of the soleus muscle of rats with pentoxifylline

Contexto: A reperfusão de músculo esquelético piora as lesões ja presentes no período de isquemia, pois a produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio, associadas à intensa participação de neutrófilos, amplia a reação inflamatória que induz alterações teciduais. Objetivo: Avaliar as alterações morfológicas e imuno-histoquímicas de músculo esquelético (sóleo) de ratos submetidos a isquemia e reperfusão com pentoxifilina. Métodos: Sessenta ratos foram submetidos a isquemia do membro pélvico, por 6 horas, pelo clampeamento da artéria ilíaca comum esquerda. Após isquemia, os animais do grupo A(n igual a 30) foram observados por 4 horas, e os do grupo B(n igual a 30), por 24 horas. Seis animais constituiram o grupo simulado. Administrou-se pentoxifilina apenas no período de reperfusão em A2(n igual 100) e B2(n igual 10) e nos períodos de isquemia e reperfusão em A3(n igual 10) e B3(n igual 10). O músculo sóleo foi avaliado por análise histológica (dissociação de fibras, infiltrado leucocitário, necrose) e imuno histoquímica (apoptose pela extensão da caspase-3). Foram...

Double-blind trial of the efficacy of pentoxifylline vs thalidomide for the treatment of type II reaction in leprosy.

Type II reaction in leprosy, or erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), is often characterized by severe clinical symptoms together with nerve function impairment leading to permanent disabilities. Thalidomide has been shown to be a highly effective drug for the treatment of ENL. It is, however, contraindicated for women of childbearing age due to its teratogenicity. On the other hand, pentoxifylline, used to treat hypercoagulable states, is not teratogenic and, like thalidomide, can inhibit the synthesis of tumor necrosis factor-a and other cytokines. In the present randomized double-blind clinical study we compared the effectiveness of orally administered pentoxifylline vs thalidomide in treating type II reaction in 44 patients. Daily doses of 300 mg thalidomide or 1.2 g pentoxifylline were administered for 30 days to multibacillary leprosy patients undergoing type II reaction. Randomly chosen patients were included in the study before, during, and after specific multidrug therapy. Clinical evaluations were performed on the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 30th days of treatment and laboratory tests were carried out on the 1st and 30th days. As expected, overall, thalidomide proved to be more effective in the treatment of type II leprosy reaction. Nevertheless, continuous treatment with pentoxifylline was effective in relieving the clinical signs of ENL, especially limb edema and systemic symptoms, in 62.5% of the patients.

Double-blind trial of the efficacy of pentoxifylline vs thalidomide for the treatment of type II reaction in leprosy

Type II reaction in leprosy, or erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), is often characterized by severe clinical symptoms together with nerve function impairment leading to permanent disabilities. Thalidomide has been shown to be a highly effective drug for the treatment of ENL. It is, however, contraindicated for women of childbearing age due to its teratogenicity. On the other hand, pentoxifylline, used to treat hypercoagulable states, is not teratogenic and, like thalidomide, can inhibit the synthesis of tumor necrosis factor-a and other cytokines. In the present randomized double-blind clinical study we compared the effectiveness of orally administered pentoxifylline vs thalidomide in treating type II reaction in 44 patients. Daily doses of 300 mg thalidomide or 1.2 g pentoxifylline were administered for 30 days to multibacillary leprosy patients undergoing type II reaction. Randomly chosen patients were included in the study before, during, and after specific multidrug therapy. Clinical evaluations were performed on the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 30th days of treatment and laboratory tests were carried out on the 1st and 30th days. As expected, overall, thalidomide proved to be more effective in the treatment of type II leprosy reaction. Nevertheless, continuous treatment with pentoxifylline was effective in relieving the clinical signs of ENL, especially limb edema and systemic symptoms, in 62.5 percent of the patients.

Pentoxifylline (PTX)--an alternative treatment in Graves' ophthalmopathy (inactive phase): assessment by a disease specific quality of life questionnaire and by exophthalmometry in a prospective randomized trial.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) in subjects with inactive Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) through a specific quality of life (QOL) questionnaire and exophthalmometry readings. METHODS: Eighteen females were randomly divided in two groups. Group A (n=9) was treated with PTX 1200 mg orally/day for 6 months. Group B (n=9) received placebo during the initial 6 months and then PTX for another 6 months. Proptosis measurements were carried out every 3 months and a questionnaire graded from 0 to 10 according to the severity of the symptoms was performed at baseline and after placebo and PTX administration. RESULTS: At baseline, Group A questionnaire score values were 5.5 (median; range 3.5 to 8.0), and 5.0 after 6 months (3.0 to 6.0; p=0.01). In Group B, baseline values were not significantly different after 6 months of placebo: 6.0 (4.5 to 7.0) and 5.5 (4.5 to 7.0), respectively. However, a significant change was observed 6 months after PTX: 4.0 (2.0 to 5.0; p<0.001). Patients in Group A had a progressive improvement of proptosis during PTX: at baseline, 23 mm (median; range 20 to 32); after 3 months, 23 mm (18 to 30; p=0.02); and after 6 months, 23 mm (18 to 30; p=0.005). In Group B, proptosis remained stable during placebo: at baseline, 23 mm (21 to 25); after 3 months, 23 mm (20 to 25); and after 6 months, 23.5 mm (20 to 25). A significant change was observed after 3 and 6 months of PTX: 22 mm (19 to 24; p=0.0006) and 20.8 mm (17 to 25; p=0.0003), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pentoxifylline seems to improve the QOL of patients in the inactive phase of GO. The objective findings of the proptosis readings corroborate to suggest that PTX may be an effective and promising drug in the inactive phase of GO.

Pentoxifylline and enalapril and its effects on polycythemia induced by hypobaric hypoxia in mice

Se estudió 70 ratones Swiss macho de 3-4 meses de edad, para evaluar los efectos profilácticos y terapéuticos del analapril y la pentoxifilina en la policitemia inducida por hipoxia. Se dividió a los animales en dos grupos: grupo pentoxifilina (n=39) y grupo enalapril (n=31). Cada uno fue adicionalmente dividido en un grupo profiláctico que recibió el medicamento antes de la exposición a hipoxia hipobárica intermitente (IHH) y en un grupo terapéutico que recibió el medicamento luego de la exposición a IHH. Cada Subgrupo tuvo su respectivo control. La exposición a IHH fue realizada a través de una cámara hipobárica que simulaba una altura equivalente a 4500m, 22 horas por día. Se midió semanalmente peso y hematocrito. La evolución del peso corporal en el tiempo no mostró diferencias sustanciales entre los animales tratados y los controles en los grupos profilácticos y terapéuticos, tanto en los grupos pentoxifilina como enalapril. Hubo una disminución significativa del hematocrito a los 36 y 47 días del inicio de la profilaxis en el grupo pentoxifilina. En el grupo profiláctico enapril los hematocritos fueron significativamente menores en los animales tratados. Concluimos que ambas drogas son efectivas cuando son usadas profilácticamente antes de la exposición a IHH. Se sugiere que las drogas podrían ejercer su efecto a través de un bloqueo parcial de la producción de eritropoyetina (EPO).

Neutropenia por pentoxifilina, reporte de un caso / Pentoxifyline induced neutropenia, report a case

Se reporta un caso de neutropenia causada por Pentoxifilina. Se trata de una paciente femenina de 82 años de edad con diagnóstico de Vasculitis Necrotizante Sistémica quien se hospitalizó por síncope el 8-04-89. Ocho semanas antes de su admisión ella había comenzado tratamiento con Pentoxifilina 400 mg TID por arteriopatía periférica y úlceras en piernas. Entre sus exámenes complementarios de ingres****************************************************************00190100020000220100017000420100021000590100028000800100017001080120180001250130113003050140006004180300019004240310003004430320004004460380005004500380004004550400003004590410003004620410003004650640014004680650009004820900002004910910009

Controlled clinical trial of pentoxifylline versus cinnarizine in the treatment of labyrinthine disorders.

Seventy-six patients with labyrinthine diseases of vascular origin were treated in a 6-week double-blind comparative study with either 400 mg pentoxifylline ('Trental') or 75 mg cinnarizine 3-times daily. Clinical evaluations, supported by audiological tests and vectornystagmography, were carried out before and after treatment. Statistical analysis of the results showed pentoxifylline to be globally superior to cinnarizine and especially to have a more intense antivertiginous effect. No significant differences were observed between the two drugs in respect of tinnitus and hearing loss therapy. Side-effects were occasional, mild and well tolerated in the pentoxifylline group, and more pronounced and frequent with cinnarizine.