Inflammation and oxidative stress cause genesis and progression of atherosclerosis in diabetes. This study aimed to assess effects of Cilostazol on these factors in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients.

In randomized, open, add-on preventive controlled clinical trial design, 60 hypertensive type 2 diabetics aged ≥45 years were evaluated clinically and for total leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum albumin, serum hsC-reactive protein, plasma malondialdehyde, blood reduced glutathione and HbA1c levels. After informed consent, 30 patients received Cilostazol (100mg) twice daily orally as add-on therapy. At 1 month follow-up, 26 patients in control group and 22 patients in Cilostazol group completed the trial and particular parameters were re-evaluated.

The mean age and duration of diabetes were 55±7 years and 8±6 years, respectively. At follow-up, the Cilostazol group showed significant (p<0.001) decrease in hsC-reactive protein (23.6%), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (38.7%), total leukocyte count (12.6%), plasma malondialdehyde (17.6%), HbA1c (0.17%, p=0.002) and increase in serum albumin (11.9%), blood reduced glutathione (3.5%) from baseline. UKPDS 10 years risk of coronary heart disease decreased by 6% (p=0.002). The control group did not show significant improvement in inflammatory profile, oxidative status and HbA1c.

Inflammatory and oxidative stress is high in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients. Cilostazol reduces these factors as well as coronary heart disease risk in diabetes mellitus.