Effects of alpha-trinositol on peripheral circulation in diabetic patients with critical limb ischaemia. A pilot study using laser Doppler fluxmetry, transcutaneous oxygen tension measurements and dynamic capillaroscopy

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether alpha-trinositol may have an effect on the microcirculation in patients with diabetes mellitus and critical ischaemia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten patients with previously known diabetes mellitus and with critical limb ischaemia were given alpha-trinositol during a 24 h infusion, resulting in a total dose of 2400 mg. Microcirculation was evaluated by means of laser doppler fluxmetry (LDF), transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcPO2) and dynamic capillaroscopy (CBV).

RESULTS: Plasma concentration of alpha-trinositol reached a steady state level after 1 h following the start of the administration. There were no detectable changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Laser Doppler flux increased from 41% to 57.5% and tcPO2 changed from 116 to 91 s in "half time recovery" after occlusion. Capillary blood flow showed an increase in resting velocity from 0.1 to 0.5 mm/s at 24 h.

CONCLUSIONS: The infusion of alpha-trinositol did not cause any changes in the haemodynamics in general, but resulted in changes in LDF(rest value), tcO2(half-time recovery) and CBV(rest flow) during or following the infusion suggesting improved microcirculation.