Vascular endothelial growth factor gene transfer for diabetic polyneuropathy: a randomized, double-blinded trial.

Objective: Randomized, blinded trial of intramuscular gene transfer using plasmid vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to treat diabetic polyneuropathy.

Methods: Diabetic patients with polyneuropathy were randomized to receive a VEGF-to-placebo ratio of 3:1. Three sets of injections were given at eight standardized sites adjacent to the sciatic, peroneal, and tibial nerves of one leg.