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The Potential Role of Fatty Acids in Treating Diabetic Neuropathy

  • Microvascular Complications—Neuropathy (R Pop-Busui, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of review

This review will summarize recent findings of the effect of supplemental fatty acids, with an emphasis on omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, as a treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Recent findings

Pre-clinical studies have provided evidence that treating diabetic rodents with δ linolenic acid (omega-6 18:3) and to a greater extent with eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (omega-3 20:5 and 22:6, respectively) improve and even reverse vascular and neural deficits. Additional studies have shown resolvins, metabolites of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, can induce neurite outgrowth in neuron cultures and that treating type 1 or type 2 diabetic mice with resolvin D1 or E1 provides benefit for peripheral neuropathy similar to fish oil.

Summary

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from fish oil and their derivatives have anti-inflammatory properties and could provide benefit for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. However, clinical trials are needed to determine whether this statement is true.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterans Affairs Iowa City Health Care System, Room 127, Building 41, Iowa City, IA, 52246, USA

    Mark A. Yorek

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA

    Mark A. Yorek

  3. Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA

    Mark A. Yorek

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Correspondence to Mark A. Yorek.

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The author has no conflicts of interest to declare. The studies reported in this article from the author’s laboratory were supported by grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Research and Development, Rehabilitation Research and Development [RX000889-06] and by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [DK107339-03] from NIH.

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All reported studies/experiments with human or animal subjects performed by the authors have been previously published and complied with all applicable ethical standards (including the Helsinki declaration and its amendments, institutional/national research committee standards, and international/national/institution guidelines).

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Microvascular Complications—Neuropathy

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Yorek, M.A. The Potential Role of Fatty Acids in Treating Diabetic Neuropathy. Curr Diab Rep 18, 86 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-018-1046-9

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