Researchers evaluated salsalate, an NFkB blocker, as a potential treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in type 1 diabetes. The study was presented at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida.

Methods: The 2-month phase 2/3 randomized, double-blind trial compared salsalate (3g daily) with a placebo. The primary endpoint was the change in intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) at the distal thigh. Secondary measures included nerve conduction studies and cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests.

Results: The trial included 55 type 1 diabetes patients with mild to moderate diabetic peripheral neuropathy. No significant differences were found in the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes showed trends in nerve function improvements, particularly in sural nerve amplitude and velocity. After adjusting for variables, sural amplitude showed significant improvement (p=0.031) with salsalate treatment.

Conclusions: The researchers concluded that larger trials are needed to further evaluate salsalate's effects on type 1 diabetes neuropathy.

Disclosures: One investigator served on advisory panels and as a board member for several organizations and pharmaceutical companies.