Anti-Inflammatory Treatment with Pentoxifylline Improves HIV-Related Endothelial Dysfunction: A Pilot Study

Abstract

We performed a single-arm, open-label pilot trial of the anti-inflammatory drug pentoxifylline to reduce systemic inflammation and improve endothelial function, measured by flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery, in HIV-infected patients not requiring antiretroviral therapy. Pentoxifylline significantly reduced circulating levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and interferon-gamma-induced protein and significantly improved endothelial function during the 8-week trial. Pentoxifylline may reverse HIV-related endothelial dysfunction by directly inhibiting the endothelial leukocyte adhesion pathway.