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Clinical Trial
. 2012 Mar 1;12(1):29-34.
doi: 10.2165/11599200-000000000-00000.

Combination of alpha lipoic acid and superoxide dismutase leads to physiological and symptomatic improvements in diabetic neuropathy

Fulvio Bertolotto  1 , Antonino Massone
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Combination of alpha lipoic acid and superoxide dismutase leads to physiological and symptomatic improvements in diabetic neuropathy

Fulvio Bertolotto et al. Drugs R D. .

Abstract

Background and objective: The management of diabetic neuropathy is still a challenge for physicians. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a new combination of alpha lipoic acid and superoxide dismutase for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy.

Methods: The setting of this study was ambulatory (outpatient) care. A prospective, non-randomized, open-label study was conducted in 50 patients with diabetes mellitus and with a deficit in both motor and sensory nerve conduction. Treatment was with a new combination of alpha lipoic acid and superoxide dismutase (ALA600SOD®) for 4 months. Electroneurographic parameters and perceived pain were assessed at baseline and after treatment.

Results: After 4 months of treatment, patients significantly (p < 0.001) improved their electroneurographic parameters and their perception of pain. Best improvements were observed in sensory nerve conduction.

Conclusion: The combination of two powerful antioxidant agents leads to improvement in both subjective and objective parameters in patients with diabetic neuropathy. New profitable directions for investigations are opened for a non-invasive treatment of diabetic neuropathy in the future.

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Figures

Table I
Table I
Parameters pre- and post-treatment with variation in the whole samplea
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The percentages of patients that improved, remained stable or worsened in the measured parameters after treatment. MNCMNC= motor nerve conduction; SNC = sensory nerve conduction; VAS = visual analog scale.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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