Pharmacological influences of pentoxifylline on red cell filterability and 2–3 diphosphoglycerate

Abstract

The diabetic's impairment of the red cell filterability is all the more important if the diabetic subject is suffering from an acute and progressive lower limb arteriopathy. Red cell 2–3 diphosphoglycerate (2–3 DPG) increases when red cell filterability decreases among these patients. Pentoxifylline (i.v. 600 mg per day) produces a rapid initial improvement of red cell filterability and then increases red cell 2–3 DPG level.

Key Words:

• pentoxifylline
• red cell filterability
• 2–3 diphosphoglycerate.