Antioxidant effect of Iloprost: current knowledge and therapeutic implications for systemic sclerosis

Reumatismo. 2009 Apr-Jun;61(2):90-7. doi: 10.4081/reumatismo.2009.90.

Abstract

Many lines of independent research have pointed out the role of oxidative stress as a fascinating pathogenic link between the three main hallmarks of systemic sclerosis (SSc), viz. humoral and cellular immunity activation, microvascular damage and widespread tissue fibrosis. Therefore counteracting oxidative stress may have a favourable impact on clinical features and progression of disease. It is becoming clearer that Iloprost, a synthetic stable analogue of prostacycline, currently employed in the treatment of SSc vascular features, also possess anti-oxidative properties beside its prostaglandin-like vasodilatory and antiaggregant effects. This brief review is aimed to discuss available clinical evidences supporting Iloprost antioxidant action and focus on putative molecular pathways underlying it.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Humans
  • Iloprost / pharmacology
  • Iloprost / therapeutic use*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / drug therapy*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / metabolism
  • Superoxide Dismutase / drug effects
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vasodilator Agents / pharmacology
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Iloprost