PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY - CHALLENGES AND POSSIBILITIES

Peripheral neuropathy is a well-recognised late complication in both i nsulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. However, its exac t cause remains unknown. Various pathogenic mechanisms have been propo sed as an explanation for the development of nerve fibre damage and as sociated sensory loss in this disease. As a result, many kinds of drug s are currently under evaluation for the treatment of diabetic periphe ral neuropathy. This paper describes the rationale behind the usage of all these drugs and reviews major clinical and preclinical results pu blished so far. Supplementary intake of such natural, non-toxic compou nds as vitamin constituents, linoleic acid and flavonoids is encourage d, as well as strict control of hyperglycaemia, until the efficacy of one or another experimental drug is established.