Prostaglandin E1-therapy reduces circulating adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, E-selectin, VCAM-1) in peripheral vascular disease

Background: It has been postulated that adhesion molecules (AM) may be involved in development and progression of human atherosclerosis. We examined whether prostaglandin (PC) E-1 affects circulating levels of the AM (ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin) in peripheral vascular disease (PVD) patients. Methods and results: AM ave significantly (p < 0.01) increased in PVD (n = 65) as compared to controls (n = 31). There was no influence of risk factors. 26 PVD-patients received 2 different schemes of PGE(1)-therapy (group A [n = 17]; 5 ng PGE(1)/kg/min x 6 h x 5 d x 4 wk; group B [n = 9]; 60 mu g PGE(1)/2 h x 5 d x 2 wk). PGE(1) decreases all the AM significantly (p < 0.01) using both therapeutic schemes. Stopping PGE(1)-therapy reverses values within about 4 weeks. Details on therapeutic regimens (dose, duration, route, etc.) and individual response still need to be assessed. Conclusion: Our results indicate that PGE(1)-treatment of PVD is associated with a significant benefit on circulating AM. These findings are in line with the described anti-inflammatory actions of PGE(1) and may represent a further contributing factor to the great variety of beneficial actions of PGE(1) on human atherosclerosis.