The effect of pentoxifylline on erythrocyte deformability and on phosphatide fatty acid distribution in the erythrocyte membrane.

Ten maturity-onset diabetics with chronic vascular disease were treated with 400 mg pentoxifylline 3-times daily for 14 days. Erythrocyte deformability (using a filtration technique for whole blood) and phosphatide fatty acid distribution in the erythrocyte membrane were measured before and after the treatment period. Statistical analysis of the data showed that the erythrocyte filtration rate had increased significantly by the end of treatment (2alpha = 0.02), and that there were only slight changes in erythrocyte membrane phosphatide fatty acid levels. The drug was well tolerated, and there were no adverse laboratory findings in the parameters measured. On the basis of results described by other investigators, theimprovement in erythrocyte deformability was attributed to an increase in erythrocyte ATP levels. The authors discuss the importance of red cell fluidity for capillary perfusion.