[New aspects of the pharmacology of pentoxifylline].

Pentoxifylline has been used for several years in various types of peripheral and cerebrovascular diseases because of its hemorheological properties: pentoxifylline improves the red cell deformability, decreases platelet and red cell aggregation, decreases fibrinogen and plasma viscosity. Its new properties on the leukocyte function can lead to new therapeutical ways. Adherence and peroxidative free radicals production are induced by inflammatory cytokines (IL1, TNF) and can induce vascular tissue damages and development of atherosclerosis. Pentoxifylline has no effect on the normal leukocyte function. However, in all inflammatory diseases, Pentoxifylline acts on the activated neutrophil function: Pentoxifylline decreases adherence to endothelial cells or other surfaces, the superoxide and lysozyme release, and increases chemotaxis. In some animal models of shock and infection, pentoxifylline decreases cellular and tissue damages, mediated by activated neutrophils. Furthermore, in inhibiting neutrophil adhesion to cultured endothelium cells, pentoxifylline, modulates leukocyte-endothelium and leukocyte-platelets interactions which are important factors in the development of inflammation and thrombosis. Pentoxifylline increases the leukocytes mediated activation of fibrinolytic pathways and could play an important role in the prevention of thrombosis. In addition to its well-known effects on chronic vascular diseases, pentoxifylline is also effective in some acute injuries in animal models. This can lead to new research fields allowing a better understanding of atheromatous processes.