The effect of prostaglandin E1.alpha CD on vibratory threshold determined with the SMV-5 vibrometer in patients with diabetic neuropathy

Abstract

We studied the effect of prostaglandin E1.alpha CD (PGE1) on diabetic peripheral neuropathy by evaluating subjective symptoms and vibration sensation using a new vibrometer (SMV-5). Patients with diabetic neuropathy (n = 38) were divided into three groups; group A received no drugs (control), group B was treated with 1500 micrograms/day of oral methyl vitamin B12 (VB12) for four weeks, and group C received 1.2 micrograms/kg/day PGE1 intravenously for four weeks. There was a close relationship between symptom scores and vibratory threshold (VT). The effect of PGE1 on subjective symptoms and VT were compared with those in groups A and B. Patients who received PGE1 showed a significant improvement rate in pain and hypesthesia compared to patients in groups A and B, and in numbness compared to group A. During the study period, there was no significant change in VT in groups A and B, whereas VT was significantly improved at styloid process (P < 0.05) and at medial malleolus (P < 0.001) in group C. Our results confirmed that PGE1 significantly improved both subjective symptoms and VT, indicating that PGE1 therapy may be useful in diabetic neuropathy.