BIMOCLOMOL (BRLP-42) AMELIORATES PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

A reduction in nerve conduction velocity and an increase in resistance to ischemic conduction failure are early signs of neural dysfunction in both diabetic patients and animal models of diabetes. The effect of Bimoclomol (BRLP-42), a drug under clinical development for the treat ment of diabetic complications, on experimental peripheral neuropathy was examined in rats made diabetic by injection of streptozotocin. Dai ly oral doses of Bimoclomol (10 or 20 mg/kg) or control dose of gamma- linolenic acid (260 mg/kg), an agent with known neuropathy-improving e ffects, were administered for 3 months. Treatments began 1 day after d iabetes induction to assess the prophylactic efficacy of Bimoclomol. N europathy was evaluated electrophysiologically by measuring motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities and resistance to ischemic conduct ion failure of sciatic nerve in vivo. Bimoclomol significantly reduced nerve conduction slowing and retarded the typical elevated ischaemic resistance due to streptozotocin-induced neuropathy, suggesting that t he drug might be a useful treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathi es. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.