Efficacy and safety of α-lipoic acid on peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

• DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1674-5809.2012.07.007
• Publication Date: 2012-07-27
• Authors: Weijun Gu; Juming Lu; Xiaohong Guan; Lixin Shi; Qingbo Guan; Yangang Wang; Dajin Zou; Jiapu Ge; Wei Ren; Xiang‐Hang Luo; Xuefeng Yu; Guangda Xiang; Chunyan Liu; Yuanming Xue; Qiao-yun Luo
• Keywords: Hypoesthesia; Sensation; Microalbuminuria

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of α-lipoic acid(ALA) on diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN).

Methods All 284 type 2 inpatients with DPN in sixteen hospitals were selected from August 2009 to March 2010. The patients received ALA 600 mg/d 250 ml normal saline by intravenous drip infusion once a day for 10-14 days. Before after management, total symptom score(TSS) was used evaluate nervous symptoms, including numbness, sting sensation, burning sensation hypoesthesia.The clinical data before treatment compared using paired t test.

Results Total 269 completed trial. After at least 10-day treatment, TSS decreased significantly that baseline(3.4±2.2 vs 6.7±2.6, P<0.01). scores hypoesthesia reduced treatment(t=20.82, 16.29, 16.82, 22.49, respectively, all About 99.2%(267/269) doctors 97.8%(263/269) satisfied effect.One patient complained dizziness one presented cutaneous eruption, symptoms mild recovered spontaneously. positively correlated course severity decline blood glucose level (r=0.125, 0.602, 0.150, 0.172, P<0.05), negatively urine microalbuminuria (r=-0.200, P<0.01).

Conclusions α-lipoic acid can improve effectively safely, especially sensation.

Key words: Diabetes mellitus, 2; Thioctic acid; Peripheral system diseases