Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
05:06
Effects of Mindfulness Training Combined with Tai Chi in Patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Published on: July 14, 2023
Alpha-lipoic acid may improve symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy
Junger Tang1, Dean M Wingerchuk, Brian A Crum
1Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, MN, USA.
The Neurologist
|May 15, 2007
Summary
Oral alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) effectively reduces neuropathic symptoms in diabetic polyneuropathy. A 600 mg dose of ALA demonstrated significant symptom improvement with minimal adverse events compared to placebo.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
- Evidence-based Medicine
Background:
- Diabetic polyneuropathy significantly impacts patient quality of life.
- Effective symptomatic treatments for diabetic polyneuropathy are needed.
Observation:
- A single, modestly valid randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluated oral alpha-lipoic acid (ALA).
- The study assessed ALA at doses of 600 mg, 1200 mg, and 1800 mg for neuropathic symptom relief.
Findings:
- Oral ALA, particularly at 600 mg, significantly reduced neuropathic symptoms in diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP) within 5 weeks.
- The 600 mg dose showed a Number Needed to Treat (NNT) of 2.7 with adverse events comparable to placebo.
- Higher doses (1200 mg and 1800 mg) were associated with increased adverse events like nausea and vertigo.
Implications:
- Oral ALA, especially at 600 mg, may be a beneficial treatment option for symptomatic diabetic DSP.
- Further research is needed to clarify ALA's role alongside other treatments for neuropathic pain management in diabetic DSP.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Diabetic Neuropathy
DefinitionDiabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by long-standing diabetes mellitus. It results directly from prolonged high blood sugar levels.PathophysiologyThe pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy involves both metabolic and vascular disturbances triggered by chronic hyperglycemia.Metabolic injury: Elevated glucose levels activate the polyol pathway within nerve cells, leading to the accumulation of sorbitol and fructose. This increases oxidative stress, disrupts normal nerve...
01:31Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Definition A diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a chronic, non-healing wound that develops in individuals with diabetes. It typically occurs on pressure-bearing areas such as the heel, metatarsal heads, or hallux, and carries a high risk of infection and amputation.Pathophysiology • The development of DFUs can be explained by four interconnected mechanisms: neuropathy, ischemia, infection, and impaired wound healing. • Neuropathy is the most common factor. Sensory neuropathy reduces pain perception,...
01:27Diabetic Retinopathy
DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...
01:19Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Type 1 diabetes mellitus typically presents with rapid-onset symptoms due to the body’s inability to utilize glucose in the absence of insulin. Since insulin is required for glucose uptake into cells, its deficiency leads to hyperglycemia and cellular energy deprivation, resulting in characteristic clinical features.Polyuria and PolydipsiaOne of the earliest, most prominent symptoms is polyuria (excessive urination). When blood glucose concentrations rise above the renal threshold, the kidneys...
01:19Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors
α-glucosidase inhibitors, including acarbose (Precose), miglitol (Glyset), and voglibose (Voglib) (primarily available in Asia), are drugs that control blood sugar levels by delaying the digestion of starch and disaccharides. They achieve this by inhibiting α-glucosidase enzymes in the intestine, which slow the absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine, which in turn leads to a prolonged release of the glucoregulatory hormone GLP-1 from intestinal L-cells.
Acarbose and miglitol are typically...
Acarbose and miglitol are typically...
01:23Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) is a serine protease widely distributed in the body. It's involved in the inactivation of GLP-1 and GIP hormones, which are crucial for insulin regulation. DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin (Onglyza), linagliptin (Tradjenta), alogliptin (Nesina), and vildagliptin (Galvus), help increase the proportion of active GLP-1, enhancing insulin secretion. These inhibitors work by competitively binding to DPP-4. This binding causes a significant...