Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2001; 109(6): 330-336
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-17399
Articles

© Johann Ambrosius Barth

Efficacy of benfotiamine versus thiamine on function and glycation products of peripheral nerves in diabetic rats

H. Stracke 1 , H. P. Hammes 1 , D. Werkmann 1 , K. Mavrakis 1 , I. Bitsch 2 , M. Netzel 2 , J. Geyer 2 , W. Köpcke 3 , C. Sauerland 3 , R. G. Bretzel 1 , K. F. Federlin 1
  • 1 Center of Internal Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Giessen, Germany
  • 2 Institute for Nutrition, University of Giessen, Germany
  • 3 Institute for Medical Informatics and Biomathematics, University of Münster, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
19 September 2001 (online)

Summary:

In rats with streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes the effect of (watersoluble) thiamine nitrate and of (lipidsoluble) benfotiamine on peripheral nerve function (motor nerve conduction velocity) as well as on the formation of advanced glycation end-products in peripheral nerve tissue was studied. In one group of animals drug administration was started immediately after diabetes induction (prevention study) and in another group two months after diabetes induction (treatment study). Motor nerve conduction velocity (NCV) dropped by 10.5% in diabetic animals, carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) rose to a 3.5fold concentration, deoxyglucosone (3DG)-type AGE formation was increased 5.1fold compared with controls. After three months preventive administration of both vitamin B1 preparations NCV had increased substantially compared with results in diabetic controls. It was nearly normal after six months with benfotiamine, while the administration of thiamine nitrate resulted in no further amelioration. NCV was nearly normalized after six months of benfotiamine application but not with thiamine. Furthermore, benfotiamine induced a major inhibition of neural imidazole-type AGE formation and completely prevented diabetes induced glycoxidation products (CML). Treatment with thiamine did not significantly affect AGE or cmL levels. Unlike treatment with water-soluble thiamine nitrate timely administration of liposoluble prodrug benfotiamine was effective in the prevention of functional damage and of AGE and cmL formation in nerves of diabetic rats.

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Prof. Dr. H. Stracke

Center of Internal Medicine

Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism

University of Giessen

Rodthohl 6

D-35385 Giessen

Germany

Phone: +49-641-99-42754

Fax: +49-641-99-42769

Email: Hilmar.Strackeinnere.med.uni-giessen.de