Flow-mediated dilation benefits of mesoglycan in peripheral artery disease

AIM: Mesoglycan, composed of natural glycosaminoglycans, is used for treatment in arterial and venous disease for its benefits on endothelial glicocalix. Little is known about mesoglycan impact on endothelial blood flow regulation. We sought to evaluate the effects of mesoglycan intermittently added to back-ground treatments on impairment of endothelial function in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients. METHODS: We studied the effects of a 2+2 months oral treatment with 50 mg b.i.d. of mesoglycan, intervalled by 2 months without mesoglycan, in 540 PAD patients on four occasions (visit 1: baseline, visit 2: 2 months, visit 3: 4 months and visit 4: 6 months). At these time visits we assessed brachial artery endothelial-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD), together with femoral intima-medial thickness (IMT), and walking distance (WD). RESULTS: There were significant changes in FMD (1.88%, CI 95%: 1.13, 2.63; P<0.001), IMT (-0.05 mm, CI 95%: -0.07,-0.02; P<0.001) and WD (38,9%, CI 95% 33.2, 44.8; P<0.001). The positive effects and benefit were maintained during the two-months interval without mesoglycan treatment. Significant changes in FMD were observed in a number of patient groups, stratified for risk factors (aging, sex, smoke, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension). CONCLUSION: Two months cycles with mesoglycan improved endothelial function in PAD patients, with a parallel reduction of atherosclerotic damage and amelioration of clinical condition