Dosage forms and methods of use are disclosed for: a) the simultaneous
administration of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) or a derivative, homolog or
precursor thereof and lipoic acid (LA), or dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA), or
a derivative, homolog or salt thereof or, b) the administration of a
conjugate consisting of tetrahydrobiopterin bis-lipoate (TBL). The
invention is useful for the amelioration of diabetes mellitus types 1 and
2 (including impaired glucose tolerance, pre-diabetes, insulin
resistance, metabolic syndrome X and as an adjunct to oral antidiabetic
agents and/or insulin), diabetic and non-diabetic microvascular diseases
(including nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy), diabetic and
non-diabetic macrovascular diseases (including heart attack, stroke,
peripheral vascular disease and ischemia-reperfusion injury),
hypertension, vasoconstriction, obesity, dyslipedemia, and
neurodegenerative disorders (including Parkinson's disease, mild
cognitive impairment, senile dementia, Alzheimer's disease, hearing loss
and chronic glaucomas). A novel method for the preparation of TBL is also
disclosed.