AKR1B1 and diabetic neuropathy: Epalrestat (5-[(1Z, 2E)-2-methyl-3-phenyl propenylidene]-4-oxo-2-thioxo-3-thiazolidine acetic acid) is an aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) authorized in Japan for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy and considered to have limited adverse effects with the well-proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (Hotta et al. 2006).