L-PROPIONYLCARNITINE EFFECT ON POSTEXERCISE AND POSTISCHEMIC HYPEREMIA IN PATIENTS AFFECTED BY PERIPHERAL VASCULAR-DISEASE

The hemodynamic effect of L-propionylcarnitine (LPC) administered intr avenously was evaluated in a double-blind, randomized, three-period cr ossover study in 12 men (aged sixty to seventy-five years) with Lerich e-Fontaine stage II peripheral arterial disease of lower limbs. At bas eline, maximum working capacity of each patient was determined by a st andardized ergometric test. This test was repeated at 80% of each pati ent's maximum working capacity before and after intravenous administra tion of LPC. Each patient received three single doses of 300 mg, 600 m g, and 1200 mg of LPC with a two-day rest period between them. Hemodyn amic variables measured by strain-gauge plethysmography were: peak blo od flow, peak flow time, and halftime and total time of hyperemia both after exercise and after induction of ischemia (with an occlusion cuf f). LPC administration significantly shortened the halftime as well as the total time of hyperemia after exercise and after ischemia. With t he two highest doses, LPC shortened the peak flow time after exercise. The peak blood flow after exercise and after ischemia increased, but this increase did not reach statistical significance. The results obta ined indicate that LPC improves circulatory reserve of the ischemic li mb and has no effect on heart rate and arterial blood pressure. No adv erse events were reported. The effect of LPC an the hyperemic response to stress, mainly on halftime of hyperemia, is possibly due to a drug -induced increase of adenosine triphosphate utilization by the ischemi c tissues.