"Unifuzol®" in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease

The present study is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the safety and efficacy of the drug Unifuzol® (L-arginine) in patients with obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower extremities. The study recruits patients 40-79 years old with a confirmed diagnosis of chronic ischemia of the lower limb and a stable symptom of intermittent claudication that occurs when walking a distance of 100-299 meters. L-arginine improves microcirculation due to activation of nitrogen monoxide production and stimulates capillary blood flow, thus can probably improve the quality of life of patients with intermittent claudication. The criterion for treatment efficacy will be an increase in the maximum walking distance measures before and on the next day after the end of treatment course.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Signed Informed Consent
2. Male and female patients 40-79 years old
3. Patients with atherosclerosis of native arteries of the lower extremity vessels (ICD-10 code: I70.2)
4. Clinical syndrome of chronic lower limb ischemia
5. The symptom of intermittent claudication persisting for 6 months or more (before the start of screening), causing a stable restriction of physical activity to the maximum walking distance 100-299 m
6. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) less than 0.9; in patients with diabetes mellitus ABI \>1.2 is acceptable, provided the occlusion of the main arteries of the lower extremities is confirmed
7. Patient consent to the use of adequate methods of contraception or full abstinence from sexual activity for the period of the study and within 30 days after its completion
8. The difference between the maximum walking distance at the second and the first treadmill test at the screening (interval at least 3 days) does not exceed 25% from baseline, i.e. the first treadmill test
9. Patients not receiving drugs for the treatment of atherosclerosis obliterans of the lower extremities or receiving them in constant doses for at least 6 weeks prior to screening.
10. No contraindications for treadmill test

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Intolerance or hypersensitivity to the components of the study drug.
2. Intake of succinic acid, L-arginine, malic acid, fumaric acid, anticoagulants, or hormones (with the exception of insulin) within 6 weeks before the start of screening, or the use of these medications is scheduled within the patient's participation in the study
3. Any severe disease or condition that may make it unsafe and/or impossible for the patient to participate in the study and/or lead to the inability of the patient to comply with the study procedures (including, but not limited to: renal failure, hepatic failure, blood diseases, psychiatric conditions, infections)
4. History of malignancy (with the exception of basal cell skin cancer)
5. Alcohol or drug abuse
6. The presence of clinically significant decompensated cardiovascular diseases (unstable angina or stenocardia of functional class III and above, chronic heart failure III - IV class according to NYHA, uncontrolled arterial hypertension, acute cerebrovascular accident or acute myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to screening, unstable arrhythmias, deep venous thrombosis, stenosis of the internal carotid arteries \>70%, aortic aneurysm)
7. Decompensation of the peripheral circulation: rest pain, trophic ulcers, gangrene
8. Any other diseases that affect the assessment of walking distance and limit patient's physical activity
9. The level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) \>= 8%
10. Planned reconstructive surgery on the limb vessels within 6 months from screening
11. Amputation on one or both limbs or planned amputation within 6 months from screening
12. Other circumstances impeding patient compliance with the schedule of procedures
13. For patients applying or planning the use of NSAIDs: the inability to cancel the use of NSAIDs 12 hours before the treadmill test.
14. The body mass index \>35
15. Contraindications for conducting the treadmill test
16. Heart rate is more than 80% of the maximum frequency (the maximum frequency is defined as 220 - age) at the moment of pain in the legs.
17. Depression of an ST segment or the occurrence of sustained (lasting more than 30 seconds) cardiac rhythm or conduction disturbances during a treadmill test.
18. Drop of systolic blood pressure during the first 5 minutes after the completion of the treadmill test
19. Participation in another clinical study
20. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
21. Any other diseases / conditions in the stage of decompensation
22. Employees of the research center and their family members.