Issue 149 Item 13 Cilostazol Benefit Diabetics With Peripheral Vascular Disease

Cilostazol can induce some beneficial changes in serum lipid profile and plasma fatty acid composition in type 2 diabetics with peripheral vascular disease. Researchers in Japan report this finding following a three-center investigation of the effects of cilostazol in these patients. The agent is reported to have both anti-thrombotic and cerebral vasodilating effects.

Dr N. Nakamura from The Second Department of Internal Medicine, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, Hirosaki City, Aomori, led this study in association with colleagues from the Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University and Inami General Hospital, both in Toyama. Seventeen patients with type 2 diabetes and peripheral vascular disease participated in the study.

Investigators measured for serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), remnant-like particles-cholesterol, apolipoproteins and plasma fatty acid composition.

These measurements were taken before and then at one month, three months and again six months after administration of the cilostazol, which was given in a dose of 200 mg/day.

Overall, the study found the serum triglyceride concentrations were significantly decreased after cilostazol (from 1.31 ± 0.17 mmol/l to 0.86 ± 0.07 mmol/l at six months).

Plasma docosahexaenoic acid levels were significantly increased after the drug (4.11 ± 0.26% to 4.94 ± 0.26% at six months).

These findings indicate cilostazol can induce some beneficial changes in serum lipid profile and plasma fatty acid composition, conclude these authors. Clinical and Experimental Medicine 2003;2:4:180-184

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FACT: Diabetics Benefit from Moderate Drinking in Reducing Mortality. Physicians Health Study found that those who drank more alcohol had lower cardiovascular mortality.