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Raynaud's Research
This page was written by Shelley Ensz, and has not yet been medically edited. Scleroderma (SD) affects everyone differently. Just because something is listed here does not mean an individual patient will ever experience it. See Disclaimer.
Research on Raynaud's
Clinical Trials
The Role of Nitric Oxide in Raynaud's
Raynaud's Studies
Raynaud's Research
Another way to grow blood vessels. PGC-1alpha, a key metabolic regulatory molecule, senses a dangerously low level of oxygen and nutrients when circulation is cut off and then triggers the formation of new blood vessels to re-supply the oxygen-starved area – a process known as angiogenesis. EurekAlert! 02/20/08.
Researchers discover new way to reverse poor circulation and heal wounds. The study mechanism suggests new ways to treat conditions that involve poor circulation like peripheral artery disease. Furthermore, the same signals that influence circulation in some tissues drive cell growth elsewhere. EurekAlert! 02/14/08.
Cooling-induced contraction and protein tyrosine kinase activity of isolated arterioles in secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. The results of this study support the view that the hallmark of Raynaud's phenomenon associated with scleroderma, cooling-induced vasospasm, appears to be mediated by an increase in PTK (protein tyrosine kinase) activity possibly exacerbated by impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation. PubMed. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2005 Feb 3.
Pathogenesis of Raynaud's phenomenon. A key point is that Raynaud's phenomenon can be either primary (idiopathic) or secondary to a number of underlying conditions, and that the pathogenesis and pathophysiology vary between these conditions. PubMed. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2005 Mar 1.
Increased circulating levels of tissue kallikrein in systemic sclerosis correlate with microvascular involvement. T-kallikrein levels are increased in patients with SSc, particularly in lSSc, and are associated with early and active capillaroscopic patterns. T-kallikrein may play a part in SSc microvascular changes. PubMed. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005 Mar;64(3):382-7. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma)
The myth of pulmonary Raynaud's phenomenon: the contribution of pulmonary arterial vasospasm in patients with systemic sclerosis related pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pulmonary vasospasm in response to peripheral and centrally administered cold pressor challenge is unlikely to contribute to persistence of pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with systemic sclerosis. PubMed. Ann Rheum Dis. 2004 Dec;63(12):1627-1631. (Also see: Pulmonary Hypertension)
Chromosome aberrations in Raynaud's phenomenon. Our results show that circulating lymphocytes of only pre-scleroderma Raynaud's phenomenon subjects undergo chromosomal damage, as detected by the micronucleus assay, at a higher rate than expected. PubMed. Eur J Dermatol. 2004 Sep-Oct;14(5):327-31.
Increased tyrosine phosphorylation mediates the cooling-induced contraction and increased vascular reactivity of Raynaud's disease. Increased levels of protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) are mechanistically associated with increased contractile responsiveness to cooling. This study tests the hypothesis that increased PTK activity mediates the increased vascular reactivity to agonists and cooling associated with primary Raynaud's disease (RD). PubMed. Arthritis Rheum. 2004 May;50(5):1578-85.
Coexistence of Erythromelalgia and Raynaud's phenomenon. A review of the literature indicates that causative and pathophysiologic similarities between the 2 conditions may exist in some cases. Rare reports of coexistence of the 2 disease processes further strengthen such research findings. PubMed. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004 Mar;50(3):456-60.
Clinical Trials
Clinical Trial
Open Enrollment!
Study of a Topical Formulation for the Treatment and Prevention of Raynaud's Phenomenon Symptoms. The purpose of this study is to determine if Vascana, a novel topical formulation of nitroglycerin, is effective in the treatment and prevention of the symptoms associated with Raynaud's Phenomenon. This trial is currently recruiting. Verified by MediQuest Therapeutics, December 2009. clinicaltrials.gov.
Clinical Trial
Open Enrollment!
Safety, Tolerability and Pharmcodynamic Profile of Oral 2101 Once Daily for up to 14 Days in Secondary Raynaud's Disease. To investigate the severity of secondary Raynaud's disease-related attachks during the 14 days 2101 dosing period. Currently Recruiting. University des Saarlandes. Homburg, Germany. clinicaltrials.gov.
The Topical Application Of Nitroglicerin Cream Improves Raynaud Phenomenon (RP) At Hands In Systemic Sclerosis Patients: A Pilot, Open Label Study. Our data show that nitroglicerin cream is safe, reduces the intensity and the frequency of RP attacks. Effects are rapid and long lasting. Although the results should be confirmed on wider groups of patients, nitroglicerin cream might be considered as an alternative topical therapy for RP. G. Fiori. AB0503 EULAR 2007.
Vascana Findings To Be Presented At International Scleroderma Conference. The Vascana presentation will focus on its phase III clinical trial results and on MediQuest's proprietary Topical Amphi-Matrix (TAM) drug delivery system. With the TAM technology, Raynaud's patients will be able to apply a non-systemic, topical formulation at the affected area to deliver relief. Medical News Today. 05/19/07.
Effect of Clonazepam on Raynaud's Phenomenon and Fingertip Ulcers in Scleroderma. We report a case of Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulcers responding to clonazepam. Further research is warranted to test the robustness of this preliminary finding. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy: Vol. 41, No. 9, pp. 1544-1547. 2007. (Also see: Digital Ulcers)
The Role of Nitric Oxide in Raynaud's
Serum nitric oxide (NO)) metabolites and disease activity in patients with systemic sclerosis. Serum NO(x) in SSc patients were elevated compared to healthy controls. Serum NO(x) level was determined by multiple factors including age, prednisolone use, and elevated pulmonary arterial pressure. (PubMed) Clin Rheumatol. 2008 Mar;27(3):315-22. Epub 2007 Aug 15. (Also see: Raynaud's)
Raynaud's Studies
Digital (Finger and Toe) Ulcers. ISN.
Gangrene and Amputations. ISN.
Scleroderma Clinical Trials. ISN.
Scleroderma Research Registries. ISN.
 
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