ABSTRACT
Inflammation is involved in development, progression, and complications of atherosclerotic disease. Clinical studies have indicated that the level of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 [MCP-1], IL-18, and adhesion molecules correlates with the severity of atherosclerosis and can predict future cardiovascular events. Experimental studies have shown pentoxifylline [PTX] reduces these factors in animal models. The purpose of the present pilot study was to evaluate effect of PTX on a group of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with coronary artery disease [CAD]. Forty patients with angiographically documented CAD, who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria, were entered in the double-blind, randomized, pilot clinical study. The patients were randomly given PTX [400 mg three times daily] or placebo [3 tab/day] for 2 months. Serum concentrations of MCP-1, IL-18, intercellular adhesion Molecule 1 [ICAM-1], and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 [VCAM-1] were measured before and at the end of intervention by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Our study showed that the serum levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was decreased in the study population after two-month treatment [P<0.05]. Based on the results of our pilot study, administration of PTX in CAD patients significantly decreases adhesion molecules levels