Pentoxifylline effects on acute and late complications after radiotherapy in rabbit.

Soft tissue damages after radiotherapy are an uncommon but serious complication. Late damage after radiation is the principal dose-limiting factor in radiation therapy today and is dependent on vascular pathology as a result of radiation. Pentoxifylline is a methylxanthine derivative that produces dose-related improvement in blood flow, lower blood viscosity, improved erythrocyte flexibility, and increased tissue oxygen levels. An agent that increases blood flow and tissue oxygen content may contribute to enhanced healing of soft tissue pathology. Sixteen adult New Zealand rabbits were separated into 2 groups and inspected for 30 weeks after radiation. We noted acute and chronic reactions and pathologic changes in different regions of the head and neck of rabbits. The prophylactic administration of pentoxifylline in the postirradiation period can reduce late soft tissue pathology, but it does not affect acute radiation reactions.