Alprostadil Emerges as Effective Adjunct Therapy for Diabetes Mellitus and Peripheral Atherosclerosis: Study

The researchers also revealed that alprostadil significantly improves the effects of high glucose and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) on human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Alprostadil, a synthetic analog of prostaglandin E1, is primarily known for its vasodilatory properties, which help improve blood flow. The study's findings suggest that incorporating Alprostadil into the treatment regimen for patients with DM and peripheral atherosclerosis not only enhances clinical outcomes but also provides a specific mechanism of action that addresses underlying pathophysiological factors.

The study was conducted by Hanlin Yin and Qin Wan from China to investigate the clinical efficacy of Alprostadil in diabetes mellitus combined with peripheral atherosclerosis and to investigate the molecular mechanisms.

The study included 154 patients with diabetes mellitus and peripheral atherosclerosis. They were divided into two groups: the conventional group (77 patients) and the Alprostadil group (77 patients). Both groups received standard treatment, while the Alprostadil group also received additional Alprostadil therapy.

The researchers compared therapeutic efficacy and improvements in clinical symptoms between the two groups, as well as monitored for any adverse reactions. Additionally, an in vitro cell model was established using high glucose (HG) at 50 mM and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (50 μg/mL) for treatment.

Based on the study, the researchers revealed the following findings:

• The total effective rate of treatment in the Alprostadil group was higher than that in the conventional group.
• The biochemical indices of whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, erythrocyte pressure volume, and fibrinogen, as well as the level of inflammatory factors in the Alprostadil group, were lower than those in the conventional group.
• The incidence rate of adverse reactions to Alprostadil administration was lower than that in the conventional group.
• Alprostadil inhibited platelet aggregation and promoted platelet spreading.
• Alprostadil had an ameliorative effect on HG- and oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ox-LDL)-induced human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) and promoted apoptosis and inflammatory response of HUVECs.

The incorporation of Alprostadil as an adjunct to conventional therapy for treating diabetes mellitus combined with peripheral atherosclerosis demonstrates considerable clinical efficacy. Furthermore, Alprostadil significantly improves the effects of high glucose and oxidized low-density lipoprotein on human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

"These findings underscore the potential of Alprostadil in enhancing treatment outcomes for patients with these conditions," the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Yin, Hanlin, and Qin Wan. "Efficacy and Mechanism of Alprostadil in Diabetes Mellitus Combined With Peripheral Atherosclerosis." Anatolian Journal of Cardiology, 2024.