EFFECT OF TOLRESTAT ON ESOPHAGEAL TRANSIT-TIME AND CHOLECYSTIC MOTILITY IN TYPE-2 DIABETIC-PATIENTS WITH ASYMPTOMATIC DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of Tolre stat, an aldose-reductase inhibitor, on both oesophageal and cholecyst ic motility in Type-2 diabetic patients with asymptomatic diabetic neu ropathy. Sixty-six patients were randomly assigned to receive Tolresta t 200 mg once daily (33 patients) or were left without specific treatm ent (33 patients) for 12 months. Efficacy and safety evaluation were d one at 4.5 and 12 months by persons blinded to the patient treatment r egimen. Scintigraphic evaluation of oesophageal motility showed signif icant changes in transit time for tolrestat at 12 months (p < 0.001). There was no significant effect of Tolrestat on cholecystic function i n cholecystography, although diabetic patients taking Tolrestat showed a trend toward improvement. The vibration perception threshold at two sites of the dominant leg improved by at least 3 volts in the Tolrest at group and remained unchanged or slightly deteriorated in the contro l group, Tendon reflexes and blood pressure fall after standing were i mproved in the Tolrestat group. In conclusion, one-year treatment with Tolrestat significantly improved oesophageal motility and vibration p erception in Type-2 diabetic patients with asymptomatic diabetic neuro pathy.