Treatment of diabetic neuropathy with gamma-linolenic acid. The gamma-Linolenic Acid Multicenter Trial Group.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of placebo and GLA on the course of mild diabetic neuropathy over 1 yr.


METHODS
We entered 111 patients with mild diabetic neuropathy from seven centers into a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study of GLA at a dose of 480 mg/day. MNCV, SNAP, CMAP, hot and cold thresholds, sensation, tendon reflexes, and muscle strength were assessed by standard tests in upper and lower limbs.


RESULTS
For all 16 parameters, the change over 1 yr in response to GLA was more favorable than the change with placebo, and for 13 parameters, the difference was statistically significant. Sex, age, and type of diabetes did not influence the result, but treatment was more effective in relatively well-controlled than in poorly-controlled diabetic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
GLA had a beneficial effect on the course of diabetic neuropathy.
Keen
H
H
UMDS, London, UK.
Payan
J
J
Allawi
J
J
Walker
J
J
Jamal
G A
GA
Weir
A I
AI
Henderson
L M
LM
Bissessar
E A
EA
Watkins
P J
PJ
Sampson
M
M
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012018:Reflex; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D008042:Linolenic Acids; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid