Abstract
The effects of aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) and prostaglandine E1 (PGE1) on diabetic neuropathy were preliminarily investigated by our clinic* in 1984. This report deals with the detailed effects both drugs on diabetic neuropathy with special reference to the function of the autonomic nervous system.
17 patiens were given ONO-2235 orally at a daily dose of 600 mg for 8 weeks. PGE1 was administered intravenousyl to 16 patients at a daily dose of 40 μg for 2 weeks.
The subjective symptoms were relieved in approximately 80% of patients studied. Lowered coefficient variation of beat-to-beat interval during rest, CV, was observed in 5 out of 7 patients in ARI group and in 4 out of 9 in the PGE1 group at the start of medication, and the CV values increased by 20% in 86% of ARI-treated and in 56% of PGE1 treated subjects, respectively. Resting temperature showed no significant change. However, abnormal elongation of recovery time of skintemperature after cold water exposure noted in all 9 patients in the PGE1 group shortened in 7 patients, suggesting a functional ameriolation in autonomic nerve function. These effects paralleled improvement in subjective symptoms. Nerve conduction velocity was not significantly changed.
