EFFECTS OF PICOTAMIDE ON RELEASE OF ENDOTHELIN-1, THROMBOXANE, AND PROSTACYCLINE AFTER TREADMILL STRESS IN PATIENTS WITH PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE

To assess the effects of picotamide, an antithromboxane receptor and a ntithromboxane synthase drug, on vascular function and endothelin-1 re lease, 20 patients with peripheral arterial disease, without hypertens ion or diabetes mellitus, receiving placebo and picotamide (900 mg/day ) were studied. The modifications of vascular parameters were evaluate d by arterial distensibility index and postischemic hyperemia test (po stischemic perfusion index and recovery time). Endothelin-1, prostacyc line, and thromboxane B-2 were determined under resting conditions and after treadmill test. Picotamide treatment caused a decrease of resti ng thromboxane B-2 and endothelin-1 concentrations, produced an improv ement of the vascular function as seen by the increase of vascular par ameters reported, and attenuated the ischemic treadmill-induced increa se of thromboxane B-2, but not of endothelin-1. These data confirm tha t the picotamide improved vascular flow by the reduction of thromboxan e-mediated effects, reduced resting endothelin-1 levels, but did not a ttenuate endothelin-1 concentrations induced by the treadmill stress.