Abstract
Prostaglandin E1 has peripheral vasodilating and platelet coagulation inhibiting activities. It has been shown to be effective for obstructive vascular diseases and peripheral circulation disturbances. In clinical use, it is required to be administered on either intraarterial or i. v. drip infusion route in massive doses, since it is inactivated in the lung. Recently, a new prepration Lipo PGE1 has been developed which has conquered these defects and which possesses a targeting effect.
The authors applied Lipo PGE1 in 13 cases of systemic lupus erythematosus complicating skin and finger tip ulcers, Raynaud's phenomenon, rashes or thrombophlebitis. Lipo PGE1 was administered at 5 to 10 μg daily as PGE1 on i. v. drip infusion route for 2 to 19 weeks. As to global improvement rating, improvement rate as calculated by including slightly improved or better results was 92.3%. Utility rating gave a utility rate of 84.6% for slightly useful or better results. As to side effects, a transient angialgia was observed in 2 cases, indicating that there is no problem as to safety. From these results, it is considered that Lipo PGE1 is useful for improving various symptoms due to peripheral vascular diseases associated with SLE.
