ACUTE EFFECT OF BERAPROST SODIUM ON LOWER-LIMB CIRCULATION IN PATIENTS WITH NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS-EVALUATION BY COLOR DOPPLER ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND LASER CUTANEOUS BLOOD FLOWMETRY

The acute effects of beraprost sodium (sodium (+/-)-(1R, 2R, 3aS*, 8b S)-2, 3, 3a )-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-I-octen-6-ynyl]-1H-cyclopenta [b] be nsofuran-5-butyrate), a stable analogue of prostaglandin I-2 which wor ks as a vasodilator and anti-platelet agent, were investigated in pati ents with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Its effects on the dorsal pedis artery were examined using a new real-time two-dimensiona l Doppler ultrasonographic technique and by laser blood flowmetry. Bef ore and 60 min after oral administration of beraprost sodium (Dolner(R ) 40 mu g) and elastase (Elaszym(R) 1800 U), the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the dorsal pedis artery and its blood flow index (BFI), calcu lated from the maximum flow velocity and area, were determined. Dermal microcirculatory blood volume (MBV) was also measured by laser blood flowmetry. In the beraprost sodium group, the CSA, BM and MBV were sig nificantly increased, while in the elastase group, no significant chan ges were observed. These result suggest that beraprost sodium has a be neficial effect on diabetic macro- and microangiopathy.