J Brachial Plex Peripher Nerve Inj 2010; 05(01): e1-e2
DOI: 10.1186/1749-7221-5-15
Letter to the Editor
Ranieri et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Possible role of alpha-lipoic acid in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries[*]

Maurizio Ranieri
1   Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
,
Manuela Sciuscio
1   Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
,
Annamaria Cortese
1   Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
,
Marilena Stasi
1   Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
,
Francesco Panza
2   Geriatric Unit & Gerontology-Geriatrics Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Sciences, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
,
Marisa Megna
1   Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
,
Pietro Fiore
3   Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
,
Andrea Santamato
3   Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
› Author Affiliations

Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

10 March 2010

31 August 2010

Publication Date:
19 September 2014 (online)

Abstract

Recent findings on the antioxidant effects of pretreatment with α-lipoic acid (α-LA) on the crush injury of rat sciatic nerve confirm the possible usefulness of α-LA administration in humans with peripheral nerve injuries. We discussed this issue in relation with our recent results in which the combined employment of α-LA and γ-linolenic acid with a rehabilitation program for six weeks reduced sensory symptoms and neuropathic pain in patients with compressive radiculopathy syndrome from disc-nerve root conflict in comparison with patients submitted to rehabilitation program alone for six weeks.

*This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


 
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