Effectiveness of pentoxifylline on the cross-sectional area of intima media thickness and functions of the common carotid artery in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of oral pentoxifylline on the cross-sectional area of intima media thickness (CSA-IMT) and functions of the common carotid artery, a marker of early atherosclerosis, in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Patients And Methods: Non-invasive ultrasonographic measurements were made in 56 type 1 diabetic patients. The diabetic patients were matched first in terms of age, diabetes duration, major cardiovascular risk factors, including anthropometric and metabolic parameters as well as ultrasonographic measurements, then one individual within each pair randomized into a pentoxifylline group and a placebo (control) group (i.e., 32 on pentoxifylline group and 24 on placebo). Pentoxifylline was administered for 6 months. We investigated the change of CSA-IMT, compliance, distensibility, diastolic wall stress (DWS), and incremental elastic modulus of the common carotid artery at 6 months after pentoxifylline.

Results: In comparison of changes in common carotid artery measurements between the two groups, the pentoxifylline treatment group had significantly higher values than the controls for CSA-IMT (-2.6 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.7 +/- 0.4 mm2, p = 0.001) and for DWS (-0.38 +/- 0.02 vs. -0.05 +/- 0.05 mm Hg x 10(2), p < 0.001). In a multivariate regression model for all patients, being in pentoxifylline group was the best predictor of the change DWS (beta = -0.52, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Our preliminary results suggest that pentoxifylline has an antiatherogenic action and might modulate risk factors for atherosclerosis in type 1 diabetes.