title: The effects of long-term oral benfotiamine supplementation on peripheral nerve function and inflammatory markers in patients with type 1 diabetes: a 24-month, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effects of long-term oral benfotiamine supplementation on peripheral nerve function and soluble inflammatory markers in patients with type 1 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study randomly assigned 67 patients with type 1 diabetes to receive 24-month benfotiamine (300 mg/day) or placebo supplementation. Peripheral nerve function and levels of soluble inflammatory variables were assessed at baseline and at 24 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-nine patients completed the study. Marked increases in whole-blood concentrations of thiamine and thiamine diphosphate were found in the benfotiamine group (both P < 0.001 vs. placebo). However, no significant differences in changes in peripheral nerve function or soluble inflammatory biomarkers were observed between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that high-dose benfotiamine (300 mg/day) supplementation over 24 months has no significant effects upon peripheral nerve function or soluble markers of inflammation in patients with type 1 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Research Centre, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. david.fraser@pronova.com
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Lien M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Diep
authors.forename: Inger Anette
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Hovden
authors.forename: Kristian B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Nilsen
authors.forename: Kari Anne
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Sveen
authors.forename: Ingebjørg
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Seljeflot
authors.forename: Kristian F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Hanssen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects*; D013831:Thiamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D013831:Thiamine; C013835:benphothiamine