[Effect of mecobalamin on diabetic neuropathies. Beijing Methycobal Clinical Trial Collaborative Group]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of mecobalamin on diabetic neuropathies.

Methods: One hundred and eight patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus were involved in a randomized positive-control clinical trial. 62 cases were treated with mecobalamin 500 microg intramuscularly three times a week for four weeks then followed by 500 microg orally three times a day for additional eight weeks. 46 cases were treated with vitamin B(12) in the same way and served as controls.

Results: Twelve weeks after the treatment, spontaneous pain and numbness of limbs were improved by 73% and 75% in the mecobalamin group, which were much higher than those in the controls (36% and 45% respectively). Hypoesthesia, hotness, coldness, oral dryness and dysuria showed better response in the mecobalamin group than in the controls (55% vs 25%, 52% vs 18%, 59% vs 30%, 53% vs 19%, 63% vs 20% respectively). Mecobalamin also benefited nerve reflection and conduction velocity to a certain extent. No obvious side effects were found.

Conclusion: Mecobalamin might be worthy of use as a safe agent in the treatment of diabetic neuropathies.