Buflomedil prevents ischaemia-dependent changes in blood rheology and neutrophil reactivity. A possible adenosine-mediated mechanism

In patients affected with peripheral obliterative arterial disease, the intravenous infusion of 50 mg buflomedil prevented ischaemia-dependent impairment of whole blood viscosity (WBV) and filterability (WBF) in the course of isotonic ischaemic exercise of an upper limb. The drug was also able to reduce the effects of ischaemia on some functional parameters of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), such as superoxide anion generation induced by the formylated oligopeptide fMLP, and cytosolic free calcium level modifications in resting and fMLP-stimulated cells. An enhancement of ischaemia-dependent increase in adenosine plasma levels was also observed as associated with the effects of buflomedil. Treatment with the adenosine receptor antagonist theophylline was able to partially remove the effects of buflomedil. Thus, the possibility is suggested that some pharmacological properties of buflomedil could depend, at least in part, on an interference with the adenosine system.