Effects of cilostazol on serum lipid concentrations and plasma fatty acid composition in type 2 diabetic patients with peripheral vascular disease
Cilostazol is an anti-thrombotic and vasodilating agent, reported to have both anti-thrombotic and cerebral vasodilating effects. We investigated the effects of cilostazol on serum lipid concentrations and plasma fatty acid composition in type 2 diabetic patients with peripheral vascular disease. The serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), remnant-like particles-cholesterol, apolipoproteins, and plasma fatty acid composition were measured in 17 diabetic patients with peripheral vascular disease before and 1, 3, and 6 months after administration of cilostazol (200 mg/day). Serum triglyceride concentrations were significantly decreased after cilostazol (from 1.31±0.17 mmol/l to 0.86±0.07 mmol/l at 6 months, P<0.01). Plasma docosahexaenoic acid levels were significantly increased after cilostazol (4.11±0.26% to 4.94±0.26% at 6 months, P<0.01). Our findings show that cilostazol can induce some beneficial changes in serum lipid profile and plasma fatty acid composition.