Effects of α-tocopherol nicotinate on hemorheology and retinal capillary blood flow in female niddm with retinopathy

The effects of α - tocopherol nicotinate on hemorheological properties and retinal microcirculation in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were investigated. Seven female NIDDM with retinopathy orally administered α - tocopherol nicotinate at 300 mg after each meal (i.e., 900 mg/day) for a 3 month period. The treatment with the medicine resulted in a significant improvement in blood viscosity at different tested shear rates (P<0.05 or better), red cell deformability (P<0.01) and retinal capillary blood flow velocity (P<0.05), but not in plastna viscosity and red cell rigidity. This study suggests that treatment female NIDDM with α - tocopherol nicotinate can improve red cell membrane rheological properties and, consequently, improve retinal capillary blood flow. Therefore, the treatment may be useful in decelerating the deterioration of retinopathy in NIDDM patients.