Effect of Iloprost (ZK 36374) on White Cell Behavior

Abstract

Platelets, red cells and plasma constituents have long been recognized as being involved in the maintenance of blood flow and in the development of thrombosis following vessel damage. Little attention, however, has been paid to the possible contribution of the white blood cell. Recently epidemiological studies have noted that subjects at risk from developing ischemic events have had an elevation in the numbers of their white blood cells (WBCs). In addition, histopathological studies of ischemic tissue have shown adhesion and aggregation of WBCs to the endothelium, followed by migration and invasion of cells into the necrotic area. These WBC clumps may further impede blood flow, and release of noxious substances from the cell may contribute to further tissue damage. We have investigated some aspects of WBC behavior in patients with atherosclerotic and inflammatory vascular disease, and the results suggest that the patients have a general increase in WBC activity when compared to age and sex-matched controls, A drug which decreases this activity might therefore be useful in the management of arterial disease.