Effect of gangliosides on diabetic peripheral neuropathy

The effect of subcutaneously injected gangliosides on diabetic peripheral neuropathy was assessed in 26 diabetic patients with neuropathy, 20 of whom received 100 mg daily 5 days per week for 12 weeks in a randomised single-blind cross-over placebo-controlled study and six of whom, with painful neuropathy, received the same quantity of gangliosides for the same length of time but no placebo. Subjective symptoms of lower limb neuropathy improved on gangliosides but not on placebo (P = 0.01). The amplitude of the peroneal nerve muscle action potential increased on gangliosides and declined on placebo (P = 0.05), but no other significant changes were observed in nerve conduction or in any other measurable sign of lower limb somatic nerve function or of cardiovascular autonomic function.