title: Cilostazol in diabetic neuropathy: premature farewell or new beginning?
abstract: Peripheral neuropathy remains a major chronic complication of diabetes mellitus. Its pathogenesis mainly involves chronic glucose toxicity and nerve ischemia. Preclinical studies have shown that cilostazol, a reversible selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase-3A with antiplatelet, antithrombotic, and vasodilatory properties, exerts beneficial effects on nerve function in experimental diabetes. Clinical data, however, is sparse. Two recent randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials showed that cilostazol did not improve diabetic neuropathy in humans. Hence, more data is needed to confirm or refute the poor clinical efficacy of cilostazol. Importantly, future studies should include larger patient series, provide longer follow-up data, and employ more accurate diagnostic tools.
authors.affiliation: Outpatient Clinic of the Diabetic Foot, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece. papanasnikos@yahoo.gr
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papanas
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maltezos
mesh_terms: D000077407:Cilostazol; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D058987:Phosphodiesterase 3 Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D058987:Phosphodiesterase 3 Inhibitors; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000077407:Cilostazol