OXIDATIVE STRESS AND ANTIOXIDANT TREATMENT IN DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

Oxidative stress is one of the factors contributing to the development of diabetic neuropathy. Several mechanisms, among which glucose autoo xidation, glycation of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, and increased polyol pathway acti vity, lead to increased production of reactive oxygen species. Both di rect toxicity of oxygen free radicals to the peripheral nerve as well as changes in endothelial function and vascular reactivity, possibly b y the quenching of nitric oxide, may lead to nerve dysfunction. Antiox idant drugs like iron chelators, N-acetylcysteine, probucol, alpha-lip oic acid and Vitamin E can prevent nerve dysfunction in experimental d iabetes. The present review focuses on the potential mechanisms explai ning the association between oxidative stress and diabetic neuropathy, and summarizes the studies in which the effects of antioxidant treatm ent on the diabetic peripheral nerve have been evaluated.