A pilot study to investigate the use of oxpentifylline (pentoxifylline) and thalidomide in portal hypertension secondary to alcoholic cirrhosis

Abstract

Thalidomide, but not oxpentifylline (pentoxifylline), reduces the hepatic venous pressure gradient in stable alcoholic cirrhotics, an effect that may be mediated by the inhibition of tumour necrosis factor-alpha production. The role of tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitory drugs in the therapy of portal hypertension should be investigated in a randomized controlled trial.