EFFECTS OF A SINGLE DRIP INFUSION OF LIPO-PROSTAGLANDIN E(1) ON VIBRATORY THRESHOLD IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

We evaluated acute effects of prostaglandin E(1) encapsulated in lipid microspheres (lipo-PGE(1)), in 14 type 2 diabetic patients with neuro pathy. Nerve conduction velocity (NCV), vibratory threshold (VT), skin temperature and subjective symptoms were evaluated for 24 hours after a single drip infusion of lipo-PGE(1). In 6 of the 14 patients, the d ecrease in VT (P < 0.05) more than 50% measured by an SMV-5 vibrometer was observed at 6 hours after the infusion (responders). Subjective s ymptoms were improved (P < 0.05) in 5 of the 6 responders, whereas it improved in only 1 of the 8 patients who had no change in VT (nonrespo nders). NCV did not change (P > 0.05) either in the responders or in t he nonresponders by the infusion. The responders had less impairment i n VT and milder retinopathy and nephropathy than the nonresponders (P < 0.05). Our results demonstrate that vibratory sensation and subjecti ve symptoms can be improved by a single infusion of lipo-PGE(1) in typ e 2 diabetic patients with mild neuropathy.