The effect of pentoxifylline on current perception thresholds in patients with diabetic sensory neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a common, painful, and disabling condition that is known to occur by two mechanisms: hyperglycemia and arterial blood flow occlusion. Pentoxifylline (Trental) functions by improving erythrocyte flexibility in blood vessels, which could increase the delivery of oxygen to occluded nerve vessels. This 1-year clinical trial was aimed at ascertaining the effects of pentoxifylline on diabetic sensory neuropathy. Fifty patients with type I or II diabetes were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, parallel group and placebo-controlled study. Pentoxifylline effectiveness was evaluated by measuring glycated hemoglobin, blood pressure and current perception threshold (CPT). The CPT results showed no statistically significant effect of pentoxifylline on mean nerve sensory perception thresholds in ankle and toe at 5, 250 and 2000 Hz. There were no significant changes in glycated hemoglobin or in systolic and diastolic blood pressure during the trial. Thus, glycated hemoglobin and blood pressure did not explain the lack of pentoxifylline effect on diabetic neuropathy. In conclusion, pentoxifylline appears not to add benefits to the clinical treatment of diabetic sensory neuropathy of the lower extremity.