Y. Okuda et al., LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF EICOSAPENTAENOIC ACID ON DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AND SERUM-LIPIDS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE-II DIABETES-MELLITUS, Journal of diabetes and its complications, 10(5), 1996, pp. 280-287
The present study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of a new,
highly purified (purity greater than 91%), ethyl esterification produ
ct from natural eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA-E, C20:5 omega 3) in patien
ts with type II diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Hemodynamic changes were as
sessed at the level of the dorsalis pedis artery using an ultrasonic c
olor Doppler duplex system before and after oral administration of EPA
-E at a dose of 1800 mg/day for 48 weeks. The cross-sectional area of
the dorsalis pedis artery increased significantly from 2.5 +/- 0.2 to
3.9 +/- 0.4 mm(2) (48 weeks, mean +/- SE, p < 0.05). Moreover, EPA-E i
mproved the clinical symptom (coldness, numbness) as well as the vibra
tion perception threshold sense of the lower extremities [from 32.1 +/
- 8.5 to 16.1 +/- 4.8 (48 weeks) mu m]. A significant decrease of seru
m triglycerides was also noted by EPA-E administration. Furthermore, s
ignificant decrease of the excretion of albumin in urine [from 24.4 +/
- 3.3 to 13.9 +/- 1.8 (48 weeks) mg/g . Cr, p < 0.05]. The results of
this study suggest that EPA-E has significant beneficial effects on di
abetic neuropathy and serum lipids as well as other diabetic complicat
ions such as nephropathy and macroangiopathy.