EFFECTS OF CYCLO-3-FORT ON MICROVASCULAR REACTIVITY AND THE VENOARTERIOLAR REFLEX IN DIABETIC HAMSTERS

Cycle 3 Fort is used in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. In this study, the effects of Cycle 3 Fort, 2, 10 and 50 mg/kg, were studied in cheek pouch preparations from diabetic hamsters. The mean a rteriolar diameter in animals receiving Cycle 3 Fort, 10 and 50 mg/kg, was significantly greater than in control animals (p < 0.05), and the mean venule diameter was significantly lower in animals receiving the 50 mg/kg dose than in the control group. This suggests that Cycle 3 F ort, 50 mg/kg/day, has a venotonic effect in diabetic animals. The ven oarteriolar reflex was studied by measuring the internal diameter of a rterioles during venular occlusion. The reflex was impaired in animals treated with either placebo or 2 mg/kg, but this was reversed by trea tment with Cycle 3 Fort, 10 and 50 mg/kg.