Effects of α-lipoic acid combined with butylphthalide on diabetic peripheral neuropathy and the influence on serum NSE and CP levels

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of α-lipoic acid combined with butylphthalide on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and its influence on levels of serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and C-peptide (CP). Methods A total of 100 patients with DPN who were hospitalized in the First People’s Hospital of Jinzhong from January 2015 to January 2018 were selected and divided into control group (n=50) and study group (n=50), according to random number table method. Patients in control group were treated with α-lipoic acid, while patients in study group were treated with α-lipoic acid combined with butylphthalide. The therapeutic effects, nerve conduction velocity including motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV), serum NSE and CP levels and incidence of major symptoms were compared between the two groups. Results The effective rate of treatment in study group (96.0%) was significantly higher than that in control group (80.0%), P<0.05. After treatment, the MCV and SCV of both groups were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the increase in study group was greater than that in control group (P<0.05). The NSE levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the CP levels were significantly increased in the two groups (P<0.05), and change in study group was more significant than that in control group (P<0.05). The incidence of major symptoms in study group (52.0%) was significantly lower than that in control group (80.0%), P<0.05. Conclusions α-lipoic acid combined with butylphthalide is effective in the treatment of DPN. It can effectively improve the neurological function and serum NSE and CP levels, which has great value in clinical. Key words: α-lipoic acid; Butylphthalide; Diabetes; Serum neuron-specific enolase; C-peptide