Pathogenesis, evaluation and pathogenetic therapy of diabetic polyneuropathy

The increase in the number and life expectancy of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) worldwide determines the high prevalence of late complications of diabetes, including diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), the most common type of polyneuropathy. Oxidative stress is considered the main reason for the cellular pathology development in diabetes mellitus, which determines the use of antioxidants for the DPN treatment. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a natural fat-soluble antioxidant, is the most effective drug for reducing DPN symptoms. Furthermore, the symptom-modifying effect of ALA has been shown in numerous randomized controlled trials. The article discusses the possible disease-modifying effect of ALA.