Clinical trial of an aldose reductase inhibitor in diabetic neuropathy

A single-blind, nonrandomized, placebo crossover clinical trial of an aldose reductase inhibitor, Alrestatin (AY 22, 284) was performed over a 4-mo period in nine patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Most patients had subjective benefit, but objective measures of conduction were essentially unchanged. Substantial toxicity was evident, particularly photosensitive skin rash.