Association between symptoms of neuropathy, nerve conduction and levels of heat shock protein 27 in type 2 diabetes

• Background and aims: Increased levels of serum HSP27 (sHSP27) are associated with distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN) in type 1 diabetic patients. However, the association between nerve function and sHSP27 has not been studied in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Thus, our objectives were to investigate the association between nerve conduction in the legs, symptoms of distal polyneuropathy and sHSP27 levels. Methods: Subjects were consecutively recruited from the population-based Västerbotten Intervention Program; controls (n=39, m/f=19/20, mean age=61± 0.6 years), IGT (n=29, m/f=15/14, mean age=61± 0.8 years), T2D (n=51, m/f=30/21, mean age=61± 1.3 years). Nerve conduction studies were performed. Z-scores for motor conduction velocity (CV) of the peroneal nerve, and the sensory CV and amplitude of the sural nerve were measured and compiled into a composite Z-score of the right leg (Z-score leg). Neurological Disability Score (NDS), including examination of sensory perception, reflexes and muscle strength, were used to evaluate symptoms of neuropathy in the leg. NDS and Z-score leg were categorized into tertiles, respectively. sHSP27 levels were measured and divided into low and high levels. Results: Subjects in the highest NDS tertile had lower sHSP27 levels (328 ± 287 pg/mL) compared to subjects in the lowest NDS tertile (558 ± 404 pg/mL, p=0.04). Subjects in the lowest tertile of Z-score leg were in the lowest sHSP27 group (63%) compared to the subjects in the highest group (38%, p=0.034). The highest tertile of Z-score leg was associated with high levels of sHSP27 (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.2; 11.5, p=0.02); adjusted for age and sex. However, this association was attenuated when adjusted for T2D status (OR 3.1, 95% CI 0.9; 9.9, p=0.06). Conclusion: In summary, increased sHSP27 levels were associated with an increasing Z-score of the leg; thus, a better nerve conduction, and fewer symptoms using the whole study population. The attenuation of the association when including diabetic status indicates an altered HSP27 production in T2D patients compared to controls and subjects with IGT.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Endokrinologi och diabetes (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Endocrinology and Diabetes (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Diabetes Mellitus

Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Neuropathy

Heat Shock Protein 27

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Internal medicine

Invärtesmedicin

Diabetology

Diabetologi

Family Medicine

allmänmedicin

medicin

Medicine

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