BACKGROUND: Cytridinie triphosphate(CTP) is predominantly used for cerebrovascualr accident and its sequelae, brain concussion, cerebral arteriosclerosis, senile dementia. What about its effect on diabetic peripheral neuropathies?OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of cytridine triphosphate in improving nerve function and nerve conduction velocity in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.DESIGN: A prospective and randomized and controlled trial based on the patients.SETTING: Endocrine department of a military medical university.SUBJECTS: Totally 50 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, hospitalized in Endocrine Department of Xijing Hospital of Fourth Military Medical University, were enrolled in this study from September 1999 to February 2000. All the patients were according to the including criteria, including 28 male and 22 female patients. They were randomly divided into treatment and control group averagely. Informed consent was obtained from all patients.METHODS: The 25 patients in treatment group received daily intravenous injection of 60 mg CTP. The other 25 in the control group received 100 mg vitamin B1 and 500 μg vitamin B12 and 20 mg scopolamine(654-2) and 100 mL saline as well every day. The treatment lasted for 14 days. The nerve conduction velocity was orthodromicly measured by surface electrode.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Nerve conduction velocity in both groups.RESULTS: After treatment, the nerve conduction velocities of median nerve,ulnar nerve, fibular nerve, tibial nerve in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05- 0. 01 ) . The neurological symptom and sign score in the treatment group(1. 4 ± 0.5, 3.0 ± 0.5) was less than that in the control group(2.6±0.3, 4.0±0.3) (t=3.255,2.005, P <0.05).CONCLUSION: CTP is effective in improving nerve conduction velocity in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.