title: Micronized palmitoylethanolamide reduces the symptoms of neuropathic pain in diabetic patients.
abstract: The present study evaluated the effectiveness of micronized palmitoylethanolamide (PEA-m) treatment in reducing the painful symptoms experienced by diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy. PEA-m, a fatty acid amide of the N-acylethanolamine family, was administered (300 mg twice daily) to 30 diabetic patients suffering from painful diabetic neuropathy. Before treatment start, after 30 and 60 days the following parameters were assessed: painful symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening instrument; intensity of symptoms characteristic of diabetic neuropathic pain by the Total Symptom Score; and intensity of different subcategories of neuropathic pain by the Neuropathic Pain Symptoms Inventory. Hematological and blood chemistry tests to evaluate metabolic control and safety were also performed. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) indicated a highly significant reduction in pain severity (P < 0.0001) and related symptoms (P < 0.0001) evaluated by Michigan Neuropathy Screening instrument, Total Symptom Score, and Neuropathic Pain Symptoms Inventory. Hematological and urine analyses did not reveal any alterations associated with PEA-m treatment, and no serious adverse events were reported. These results suggest that PEA-m could be considered as a promising and well-tolerated new treatment for symptomatology experienced by diabetic patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Associazione MOV.I.S, Onlus di Giarre, Via Teatro 81, Giarre, 95014 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schifilliti
authors.affiliation: Associazione MOV.I.S, Onlus di Giarre, Via Teatro 81, Giarre, 95014 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Lelio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cucinotta
authors.affiliation: Associazione MOV.I.S, Onlus di Giarre, Via Teatro 81, Giarre, 95014 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fedele
authors.affiliation: Associazione MOV.I.S, Onlus di Giarre, Via Teatro 81, Giarre, 95014 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ingegnosi
authors.affiliation: Associazione MOV.I.S, Onlus di Giarre, Via Teatro 81, Giarre, 95014 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luca
authors.affiliation: Associazione MOV.I.S, Onlus di Giarre, Via Teatro 81, Giarre, 95014 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leotta