Open AccessDIABETIC POLYNEUROPATHY;
Author(s) -
Nasser Zangiabadi,
Mohamad Naeim Ahrari,
Nouzar Nakhaee
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the professional medical journal/the professional medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2071-7733
pISSN - 1024-8919
DOI - 10.29309/tpmj/2008.15.01.2638
Subject(s) - medicine , eicosapentaenoic acid , nerve conduction velocity , docosahexaenoic acid , diabetes mellitus , polyneuropathy , population , gastroenterology , peripheral neuropathy , latency stage , surgery , endocrinology , fatty acid , polyunsaturated fatty acid , chemistry , organic chemistry , environmental health
Diabetes mellitus with the prevalence rate of 8.9-12.3% in human population,ultimately leads to the peripheral nervous system involvement in many patients. It causes various types ofpolyneuropathies which may manifest abnormalities such as impaired nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and prolongedF-wave latency. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on NCV and F-wave latency.Material and Methods: This clinical trial was performed on diabetic patients referring to the Diabetes Center of ShahidBahonar Hospital in Kerman/Iran. Subjects were randomly divided to Omega-3 and Control (no treatment) group.Patients in the case group received three capsules of omega-3 daily and for the duration of 12 weeks. NCV and F-wavelatency were determined in all patients before and after the treatment period. The rate of alterations in these variablesin the two groups was analyzed by using statistical tests. Results: Controlling for baseline NCV and F- wave latencymeasures, follow up results showed no significant difference between the Omega-3 and the no-treatment group inaccordance to somatic nerve measures. Conclusion: No significant difference in electro diagnostic indices was foundbefore and after Omega-3 administration. This result may be due to using the combination of docosahexaenoic acid(DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA).Short term administration and lack of sufficient time for drug efficacy can beother probable reason. Further studies with the administration of pure forms of EPA or DHA and longer period ofadministration are suggested.