Silybin decreases erythrocytic sorbitol level and improves peripheral nerve conduction velocity in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The effects of silybin on erythrocytic sorbitol level and peripheral nerve conduction velocity were studied in 14 cases of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). After oral administration of silybin 231 mg/day for 4 weeks, no blood glucose change was observed in patients with NIDDM, while the erythrocytic sorbitol level was significantly decreased from 72.55±21.61 to 39.53±14.94 nmol/g · Hb (P<0.01). At the same time, peripheral nerve conduction velocity was also improved. These results indicate that silybin is an effective aldose reductase inhibitor which can improve the disorder of polyol pathway in NIDDM patients and prevent chronic complications of diabetes. © 1995, The Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine Press. All rights reserved.