Acute effect of beraprost sodium on lower limb circulation in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus-evaluation by color doppler ultrasonography and laser cutaneous blood flowmetry

The acute effects of beraprost sodium (sodium (±)-(1R^*, 2R, 3aS^*, 8bS^*)-2, 3, 3a 8b-tetrahydro-2-hydroxy-l-((E)-(3S^*)-3-hydroxy-4-methylI-octen-6-yny1] -1H-cyclopenta [b] bensofuran-5-butyrate), a stable analogue of prostaglandin I₂ which works as a vasodilator and anti-platelet agent, were investigated in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Its effects on the dorsal pedis artery were examined using a new real-time two-dimensional Doppler ultrasonographic technique and by laser blood flowmetry. Before and 60 min after oral administration of beraprost sodium (Dolner^® 40 μg) and elastase (Elaszym^® 1800 U), the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the dorsal pedis artery and its blood flow index (BFI), calculated from the maximum flow velocity and area, were determined. Dermal microcirculatory blood volume (MBV) was also measured by laser blood flowmetry. In the beraprost sodium group, the CSA, BFI and MBV were significantly increased, while in the elastase group, no significant changes were observed. These result suggest that beraprost sodium has a beneficial effect on diabetic macro- and microangiopathy.