Thromb Haemost 2011; 105(02): 321-328
DOI: 10.1160/TH10-07-0499
Platelets and Blood Cells
Schattauer GmbH

Inflammation, oxidative stress and platelet activation in aspirin-treated critical limb ischaemia: Beneficial effects of iloprost

Gianfranco Lessiani*
1   Center of Excellence on Aging, “G. d’Annunzio” University Foundation, Chieti, Italy
,
Natale Vazzana*
1   Center of Excellence on Aging, “G. d’Annunzio” University Foundation, Chieti, Italy
,
Chiara Cuccurullo
1   Center of Excellence on Aging, “G. d’Annunzio” University Foundation, Chieti, Italy
,
Dario Di Michele
2   Internal Medicine, Teramo Civil Hospital, Teramo, Italy
,
Giuseppe Laurora
3   Angiology Unit, “Pierangeli” Clinic, Pescara, Italy
,
Giuseppe Sgrò
4   Internal Medicine, Castel di Sangro Civil Hospital, Castel di Sangro, Italy
,
Paolo Di Ruscio
3   Angiology Unit, “Pierangeli” Clinic, Pescara, Italy
,
Emilio Simeone
5   Geriatrics Unit, Casoli Civil Hospital, Casoli, Italy
,
Pierangelo Di Iorio
6   Internal Medicine, Atessa Civil Hospital, Atessa, Italy
,
Stefano Lattanzio
1   Center of Excellence on Aging, “G. d’Annunzio” University Foundation, Chieti, Italy
,
Rossella Liani
1   Center of Excellence on Aging, “G. d’Annunzio” University Foundation, Chieti, Italy
,
Elisabetta Ferrante
1   Center of Excellence on Aging, “G. d’Annunzio” University Foundation, Chieti, Italy
,
Giovanni Davì
1   Center of Excellence on Aging, “G. d’Annunzio” University Foundation, Chieti, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 30 July 2010

Accepted after major revision: 23 October 2010

Publication Date:
25 November 2017 (online)

Summary

Platelets critically contribute to atherothrombosis and worsening ischaemia in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), eventually leading to critical limb ischaemia (CLI). Furthermore, persistent platelet activation despite antiplatelet therapy has been reported in this setting. The prostacyclin analogue iloprost is currently recommended in CLI patients for its effects in relieving symptoms by promoting local perfusion. In this study, we investigated the effects of iloprost infusion on urinary 11-dehydro-TXB2 and 8-iso-PGF2α excretion rate, as in vivoindexes of thromboxane-dependent platelet activation and lipid peroxidation, respectively, and on platelet-derived proinflammatory sCD40L and nitric oxide bioavailability in 44 patients with CLI while on chronic treatment with low-dose aspirin. Daily iloprost infusion for one-week significantly decreased urinary 11-dehydro-TXB2 [499 (277 – 807) vs. 380 (189 – 560) pg/mg creatinine, p < 0.0001] and 8-iso-PGF2α [533 (316 – 842) vs. 334 (196 – 540) pg/mg creatinine, p < 0.0001] as well as plasma sCD40L [1540 (1005 – 3015) vs. 948 (845 – 2030) pg/ml, p < 0.0001]. Furthermore, a significant increase in plasma nitrate plus nitrite levels has been observed [26.8 (18.8 – 35.9) vs. 43.7 (33.0 – 75.5) μM, p < 0.0001]. A significant direct correlation was also found between urinary 8-iso-PGF2α and 11-dehydro-TXB2 before and after iloprost treatment (Rho = 0.695, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, we report that a short-term course of iloprost is able to significantly reduce residual thromboxane biosynthesis, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and platelet-derived inflammation in low-dose aspirin treated patients with CLI.

* Drs. Lessiani and Vazzana contributed equally to this work.


 
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