Acute effects of misoprostol on digital circulation in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon

Objective. To determine whether the orally absorbable prostaglandin E₁ analog misoprostol might be a suitable treatment for Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). Methods. We tested the acute effect of a single 400 μg oral dose of misoprostol on digital hemodynamics. Eight patients with RP and 6 healthy volunteers were evaluated in a double blind, placebo controlled, crossover study. Hemodynamic outcome measures included fingertip skin temperature, finger systolic pressure, laser Doppler digital blood flow, and the skin temperature reactivity and rewarming response to a -5°C cold challenge. Results. We found no significant effects of misoprostol on digital circulation in either patients with Raynaud's or healthy subjects in any of the outcome measures. Conclusion. We conclude that misoprostol has no significant acute vasodilating properties in the digital circulation, and therefore it is not likely to be an effective adjunct to the treatment of RP.