International angiology : a journal of the International Union of Angiology 2011-04-01

Effects of buflomedil on skin blood flow in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without overt micro- or macroangiopathy.

D Tsantilas, A I Hatzitolios, K Tziomalos, D Karamitsos, D Papadimitriou

Index: Int. Angiol. 30(2) , 164-71, (2011)

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of buflomedil on the peripheral microcirculation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) without overt micro- or macroangiopathy.Twenty-three patients with T2DM were randomly assigned to receive buflomedil 600 mg/day for six months (N.=12) or no medication (N.=11). Skin blood flow in the lower limbs was assessed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months using Laser Doppler. We measured the following laser Doppler parameters: volume, flow and velocity.In patients treated with buflomedil, there was a significant increase in volume (P=0.039) and a trend for an increase in both flow and velocity (P=0.097 for both parameters). In contrast, significant decreases in volume and flow were observed in the control group (P=0.045 and P=0.027, respectively) whereas velocity did not change (P=0.150).In conclusion, buflomedil appears to have a beneficial effect on the peripheral microcirculation in patients with T2DM.