Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Prospective, Randomized, and Controlled Study of a Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injection for Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcers
04:09

Prospective, Randomized, and Controlled Study of a Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injection for Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Published on: March 3, 2023

Pulsed methylprednisolone is a safe and effective treatment for diabetic amyotrophy

D Kilfoyle1, P Kelkar, G J Parry

  • 1From the Departments of Neurology, *Auckland Hospital, New Zealand, daggerUniversity of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, and the double daggerUniversity of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Journal of Clinical Neuromuscular Disease
|December 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Pulsed methylprednisolone effectively treats diabetic amyotrophy, a nerve condition linked to diabetes. This treatment rapidly improves pain and restores strength, showing good safety in diabetic patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Endocrinology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Diabetic amyotrophy is linked to microvasculitis affecting the vasa nervorum.
  • Understanding treatment outcomes and safety is crucial for diabetic patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of pulsed methylprednisolone with the natural history of diabetic amyotrophy.
  • To assess the safety of pulsed methylprednisolone in diabetic patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 10 episodes of diabetic amyotrophy in 9 patients.
  • Treatment involved pulsed oral or intravenous methylprednisolone.
  • Outcomes were compared to published natural history data.

Main Results:

  • Marked pain improvement within days in 6 episodes.
  • Strength recovery was slower but faster than natural disease progression.
  • Early treatment (within 4 weeks) showed rapid improvement in both pain and strength.

Conclusions:

  • Pulsed methylprednisolone appears to be a safe and effective treatment for diabetic amyotrophy.
  • Treatment is associated with improved pain and strength recovery.
  • Transient blood glucose increases occurred, but no lasting diabetic treatment changes or serious adverse effects were noted.

Related Concept Videos

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon01:15

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects01:16

Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects

Insulin-replacement therapy usually includes both long-acting insulin (basal) and short-acting insulin (to cater to postprandial needs). In a diverse group of type 1 diabetes patients, the average daily insulin dose is typically 0.5-0.7 units/kg body weight. However, obese patients and pubertal adolescents may need more due to insulin resistance.
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
Diabetic Neuropathy01:22

Diabetic 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...
Diabetic Foot Ulcer01:31

Diabetic 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,...
Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment01:20

Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment

Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular transmission disorder characterized by weakness and increased fatigability of skeletal muscles. It is an autoimmune disease affecting approximately one in 2000 people, where antibodies against the α1 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are produced.
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...
Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy01:15

Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy

The therapy for diabetes aims to alleviate hyperglycemia-related symptoms, prevent acute metabolic decompensation, and reduce chronic end-organ complications. Glycemic control is evaluated through short-term (self-monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring) and long-term (A1c, fructosamine) metrics, enabling near real-time tracking of blood glucose levels and reflecting glycemic control over specific time frames.
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...