EFFECT OF 24 WEEKS OF TREATMENT WITH EPALRESTAT, AN ALDOSE REDUCTASE INHIBITOR, ON PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY IN PATIENTS WITH NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS

The effects of treatment with epalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibito r, on peripheral neuropathy were studied in 45 patients with non-insul in-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Epalrestat 150 mg three times daily was given for 24 weeks. Subjective symptoms, such as spontaneous pain in the lower extremities and numbness and hypoesthesia of the ex tremities or trunk, were significantly (P < 0.001) relieved after 12 a nd 24 weeks of epalrestat treatment. Vibratory perception thresholds, as measured by using a tuning fork (C-128) and a vibrometer, were impr oved after 24 weeks of treatment. Furthermore, there were no adverse e ffects on glucose or lipid metabolism during treatment. These results suggest that longterm (24-week) epalrestat therapy can be used effecti vely to treat peripheral neuropathy in NIDDM patients without affectin g glucose or lipid metabolism.