Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic mucosal inflammatory debilitating disease previously confined to Asian countries. Now OSMF is becoming a global healthcare problem due to migration of many Asians to many parts of the world.OSMF is premalignant condition occurs due to the habit of betel quid chewing .Management of OSMF includes conservative approach and surgery. Physiotherapy, promotion of oral mucosal blood flow, vitamins and mineral supplements,fibrinolytic agents, antioxidants and nutrients are the common conservative treatment towards OSMF.
Haemorheology is the study of flow properties of blood and blood elements (In Greek, Haima means blood; Rheology means flow of blood). Pentoxifylline has been classified as a haemorheological drug and phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Oral mucosal ischemia and epithelial atrophy in OSMF can be treated by pentoxifyllin, which dilates the blood vessels in stromal tissues and improves peripheral blood flow and nutrient supply to the fibrosed mucosal tissues.Here we present a review on Haemorheological effect of pentoxifyllin for the treatment of Oral Submucous Fibrosis.
Key words: Haemorheology, Oral Submucous Fibrosis, methylxanthine, Angiogenesis.
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