Effect of α-Lipoic Acid on the Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Evaluating by Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument.

Fang Liu; Weiping Jia; Yang Zhang; Ming Yang; Bo Liu; Kunsan Xiang

Objective Diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN) is a common complications and the oxidative stress injury play the important role in its mechanism. This clinical study is to evaluate the effect and safety of α-lipoic acid (ALA)on this chronic complication in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods Diabetic neuropathy is confirmed in patients with Michigan neuropathy screening instrument (MNSI)>3 coupled with nerve conduction abnormality, 95 type 2 diabetic patients were included, after the basal fasting glucose(FPG), insulin(FINS), sCRP, HbA1c, body weight and waist circumference were measured, patients were divided randomizedly into two groups:(1)Treatment group(N=52) : ALA 600mg/d with saline 250ml were administrated in intravenous drip infusion for 14 days;(2)Control group(n=43): radix salviae20ml were injected intravenously guttae in 250ml saline once a day for 14 days. The score of MNSI, Total Symptom (TSS), Neuropathic Symptom (NSS), neuropathy Deficiency(NDS) were recorded and compared at baseline, 7 days after treatment and 14 days after therapy. Results 50 cases of ALA group and 43 control cases completed the therapy. Compared with control group, the TSS(2.59±1.99 vs 4.71±2.32,P<0.01) and NSS (6.03±4.08 vs 10.74±6.23,P<0.01)reduced significantly after 1 week, but the MNSI(2.81±1.31 vs 3.36±1.32, P>0.05) and NDS score didn't change significantly; the score of TSS, NSS, NDS and MNSI (2.27±1.25vs3.36±1.32, P=0.038) decreased significantly after 2 weeks treatment(P<0.01 ), and TSS and NSS were lower than 1 wk before(P<0.05). The symptom score of numb, sting and burning sensation were reduced significantly between baseline and 2-week treatment in ALA group(P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in control goup. The total gratification rate of effect evaluation in treatment patients was 90%(45/50), but only 13.95%(6/43) patients of control group were satisfied with the therapeutic effect, it was lower markly than the former (P<0.05). One patients of 50 patients with ALA therapy feel chest distress at 2 day after administration, and improved at the same day after slow down the velocity of intravenous drip, and no other adverse effect were found in two groups. Conclusions There was positive short-term therapeutic effect of ALA on the sensitive symptom of diabetic paitients end this drug was safe for most of patients. MNSI is a good method to evaluate the therapeutic effect of ALA on DPN.

LIPOIC acid; DIABETIC neuropathies; DIABETES complications; OXIDATIVE stress; PEOPLE with diabetes; TYPE 2 diabetes

Diabetes, 2007, Vol 56, pA611

0012-1797

Academic Journal