Alpha lipoic acid and Vitamin B complex Oral combination in DPN: Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of ALA/Vitamin B complex oral combination in Diabetic Polyneuropathy

Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) represents a major health problem as it increases morbidity affecting diabetic patients’ quality of life. Oxidative stress is involved in all pathways underlying DPN pathogenesis. Vitamin B is frequently used for treating peripheral neuropathy but its efficacy is not reproducible. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) seems to delay or reverse DPN through its multiple antioxidant properties. Treatment with ALA increases reduced glutathione, an important endogenous antioxidant. According to certain studies, ALA was found to have a lipid lowering effect. Furthermore, ALA has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity in cell cultures of skeletal muscles, and 3T3L1 adipocytes. The aim of the present pilot study is to compare the effect of Vitamin B complex combined with ALA versus Vitamin B in treatment of DPN in Egyptian type 2 diabetic patients which might also include the effect of supplementation on insulin sensitivity as well as lipid abnormalities.