Cilostazol Pathway


The mechanism of the effects of cilostazol on the symptoms of intermittent claudication is not fully understood. Cilostazol and several of its metabolites are cyclic AMP (cAMP) phosphodiesterase III inhibitors (PDE III inhibitors), inhibiting phosphodiesterase activity and suppressing cAMP degradation with a resultant increase in cAMP in platelets and blood vessels, leading to inhibition of platelet aggregation and vasodilation.

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References

  1. Jennings, L.K., & Saucedo, J.F. (2008). Antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents: key differences in mechanisms of action, clinical application, and therapeutic benefit in patients with non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndromes. Curr Opin Cardiol, 23(4), 302-308. PMID: 18520712
  2. Kimura, Y., Tani, T., Kanbe, T., & Watanabe, K. (1985). Effect of cilostazol on platelet aggregation and experimental thrombosis. Arzneimittelforschung, 35(7A), 1144-1149. PMID: 4074426