The effect of prostaglandin E1.alpha CD on vibratory threshold determined with the SMV-5 vibrometer in patients with diabetic neuropathy.
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.
Shindo
H
H
Third Department of Internal Medicine, University of Yamanashi Medical School, Japan.
Tawata
M
M
Inoue
M
M
Yokomori
N
N
Hosaka
Y
Y
Ohtaka
M
M
Onaya
T
T
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
D000527:Alprostadil; D014805:Vitamin B 12