ROLE OF ANTITOXIDANT ALPHA LIPOIC ACID I N SYMP TOMA T I C DI A B E T I C NEUROPATHY

Abstract

Two hundred subjects of diabetes mellitus of both sexes between 25-60 years of age were included in this study,
fifty normal healthy males and females of same age group were included as controls. These subjects were divided
into three groups, controls, diabetic patients without neuropathy and diabetic patients with symptomatic neuropathy.
The patients of last group treated with alpha lipoic acid 600 mg/day for 12 weeks. Fasting blood, glucose, cholesterol
and C S F proteins were estimated, peripheral nervous system was examined to assess sensory (Q.S.T) as well as
motor components (E.Q.X). E M G was carried out on all these subjects. In the diabetic patients the biochemical
abnormalities determined in terms of fasting blood glucose, serum cholesterol and C S F proteins showed a linear
relationship with physiological abnormalities detected by E M G and study of nervous system. Supplementation of
alpha lipoic acid in this study reverted most of the biochemical and physiological parameters to near normal by better
control over blood glucose level, relieving pain, numbness, paresthaesias and restoration of reflexes. Thus treatment
of diabetes with antidiabetics along with supplements of antioxidant alpha lipoic can prevent number of
complications in diabetic neuropathy and even help in reversal of most of the symptoms.