| DIABETES VOL. 46, SUPPLEMENT 2, SEPTEMBER 1997 Essential Fatty Acids in the Management of Impaired Nerve Function in Diabetes David F. Horrobin Impaired conversion of linoleic acid to Copyright © 1997 American Diabetes Association Last updated: 8/97 |
| DIABETES VOL. 46, SUPPLEMENT 2, SEPTEMBER 1997 Essential Fatty Acids in the Management of Impaired Nerve Function in Diabetes David F. Horrobin Impaired conversion of linoleic acid to Copyright © 1997 American Diabetes Association Last updated: 8/97 |
-linolenic acid (GLA) has been demonstrated
in animal diabetes and inferred from blood fatty acid
profiles in human diabetes. This impairment could
theoretically lead to defective nerve function because
metabolites of GLA are known to be important in nerve
membrane structure, nerve blood flow, and nerve
conduction. Administration of GLA corrects the impaired
nerve function in animal models of diabetes. Two
multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trials in
humans with diabetic neuropathy have shown significant
benefits of GLA as compared with placebo in
neurophysiological parameters, thermal thresholds, and
clinical sensory evaluations. Further work is needed to
define the place of this therapeutic approach and its
interactions with other treatment modalities. Diabetes
46 (Suppl. 2):S90S93, 1997