Prostaglandin E1 and methylcobalamin treatment versus Prostaglandin E1 therapy alone for patients with diabetic nerve disease

The aim of this study was to compare combined prostaglandin E1 and methylcobalamin treatment against prostaglandin E1 alone in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN; nerve damage). The main finding of the study was that the combination of prostaglandin E1 and methylcobalamin was better than prostaglandin E1 alone for improvement of DPN symptoms and nerve function.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of diabetes. When there is too much sugar in the blood it can interfere with the function of nerves. The first nerves to be affected are the ones farthest away from the trunk of the body such as the legs and feet. 

Nerves have two functions: sensory and motor. Sensory nerves carry signals from a muscle to the brain. Motor nerves carry signals from the brain to the muscle to make the muscle move. Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) studies check how fast and efficiently a signal is getting to and from a muscle.

Prostaglandin E1 (P) is a substance that opens up vessels and improves blood flow. Methylcobalamin (M) is a form of vitamin B12 that promotes nerve regeneration and can speed up nerve signaling. Both substances have shown promising results in the treatment of DPN. However, It is not known whether the combination of P and M would provide better results.

This report evaluated the results from 16 different trials, including 1136 patients. These trials compared the effectiveness on DPN of P+M combined vs. P alone.

Combination therapy of P+M together was 25% more effective than P alone. Treatment with P+M together significantly increased overall sensory NCV, compared to treatment with P alone.

No serious side effects were reported in treatment with P+M. Some minor side effects were reported such as headaches, dizziness, facial blushing.

The authors concluded that patients with DPN treated with a combination of prostaglandin E1 and methylcobalamin have better clinical improvements and nerve conduction velocities than those treated with prostaglandin E1 alone.

Some studies evaluated did not report minor side effects and therefore, rates of these could not be calculated.

If you have concerns regarding treatment for DPN, please talk to your doctor.