The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) and F-wave Latency in Patients with Diabetic polyneuropathy

Diabetes mellitus with the prevalence rate of 8.9-12.3% in human population, ultimately leads to the peripheral nervous system involvement in many patients. It causes various types of polyneuropathies, which may manifest abnormalities such as impaired nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and prolonged F-wave latency. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on NCV and F-wave latency. This clinical trial was performed on diabetic patients referring to the Diabetes Center of Shahid Bahonar Hospital in Kerman/Iran. Subjects were randomly divided to Omega-3 and Control (no treatment) group. Patients in the case group received three capsules of omega-3 daily and for the duration of 12 weeks. NCV and F-wave latency were determined in all patients before and after the treatment period. The rate of alterations in these variables in the two groups was analyzed by using statistical tests. Controlling for baseline NCV and F- wave latency measures, follow up results showed no significant difference between the Omega-3 and the no-treatment group in accordance to somatic nerve measures. No significant difference in electrodiagnostic indices was found before and after Omega-3 administration. This result may be due to using the combination of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).Short term administration and lack of sufficient time for drug efficacy can be other probable reason. Further studies with the administration of pure forms of EPA or DHA and longer period of administration are suggested.