Treatment of diabetic autonomic neuropathy with an aldo...

Treatment of diabetic autonomic neuropathy with an aldose reductase inhibitor

Treatment of diabetic autonomic neuropathy with an aldose reductase inhibitor

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Journal Journal of Neurology
Publisher Steinkopff
ISSN 0340-5354 (Print) 1432-1459 (Online)
Issue Volume 240, Number 3 / March, 1993
Category Original Communications
DOI 10.1007/BF00857521
Pages 156-160
Subject Collection Medicine
SpringerLink Date Wednesday, December 22, 2004


T. J. C. Faes1, G. A. Yff2, O. De Weerdt2, P. Lanting2, J. J. Heimans2 and F. W. Bertelsmann2

(1) Department of Medical Physics, Free University Hospital, P. O. Box 7057, NL-1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
(2) Department of Neurology, Free University Hospital, P. O. Box 7057, NL-1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Received: 30 June 1992 Accepted: 14 August 1992

Abstract To evaluate the effects of the aldose reductase inhibitor Ponalrestat (Statil) on diabetic autonomic neuropathy, a double-blind placebo controlled trial was carried out on a group of 34 diabetic patients with documented cardiac autonomic neuropathy. After a 4-week, placebo run-in period, patients were randomised for treatment with 600 mg Statil or placebo for another 24 weeks. Moreover, the reliability of the autonomic nerve function tests was investigated by comparing the results at onset and at week 4. Fifteen patients treated with Statil and 12 with placebo completed the study. Neither symptom scores nor cardiovascular reflexes, pupil reflexes and skin vasomotor reflexes improved after Statil therapy, which led us to conclude that Statil is not effective in the treatment of diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Reliability coefficients for cardiovascular reflexes and pupil reflex showed high values, ranging from 60% to 80%. Therefore these methods are recommended in future therapy trials.
Key words Diabetes mellitus - Autonomic neuropathy - Aldose reductase inhibitor - Reliability test


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