Diabetic neuropathy supplementation effects

People with untreated diabetes have high pltisma concentrations of free inositol, tmd high urinary excretion of inositol, tissociated with relatively low intracellultu concentrations of inositol, suggesting that elevated pltisma glucose may inhihit the upteike of inositol. There is some evidence that imptiired nerve conduction velocity in diabetic neuropathy is associated with low intracellular concentrations of inositol emd that inositol supplements improve nerve conducdon velocity. However, high intracellular concentrations of inositol also impair nerve conduction velocity, and supplements may have a deleterious effect. 

In comparison to the n-6 series, much less attention has been paid to the involvement of n-3 fatty acids in diabetic neuropathy, although the beneficial effects offish-oil supplements, a rich source of these fatty acids, in the prevention of atherosclerosis and hypertension in animal models and patients with vascular complications is well known (Lands et al. 1992). Proposals for the mechanisms by which n-3 fatty acids act include serving as precursors of vasoactive prostanoids and acting as shmulants for production of relaxing factors, such as nitric oxide (Lands etal. 1992 Boulanger 1990 McVeigh etal. 1993). 

NGFs play an important trophic role in the maintenance of the peripheral nervous system and are deficient in diabetic neuropathy. Several trials have been undertaken to test for an effect of recombinant NGF supplementation in diabetic neuropathy. Although some of these trials have been positive with an improvement in nerve fibre function and neuropathic... 

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