Altered peripheral nerve structure and function in latent autoimmune diabetes in adults.

AIM: The present study was undertaken to investigate mechanisms of peripheral nerve dysfunction in latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants with LADA (n = 15) underwent median nerve ultrasonography and nerve excitability to examine axonal structure and function, in comparison to cohorts of type 1 diabetes (n = 15), type 2 diabetes (n = 23) and healthy controls (n = 26). The LADA group was matched for diabetes duration, glycaemic control, and neuropathy severity with the type 1 and type 2 diabetes groups. A validated mathematical model of the human axon was utilized to investigate the pathophysiological basis of nerve dysfunction. RESULTS: The most severe changes in nerve structure and function were noted in the LADA group. The LADA cohort demonstrated a significant increase in nerve cross-sectional area compared to type 1 participants and controls. Compared to type 1 and 2 diabetes, measures of threshold electrotonus, which assesses nodal and internodal conductances, were significantly worse in LADA in response to both depolarising currents and hyperpolarising currents. In the recovery cycle, participants with LADA had a significant increase in the relative refractory period. Mathematical modelling of excitability recordings indicated the basis of nerve dysfunction in LADA was different to type 1 and 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Participants with LADA exhibited more severe changes in nerve function and different underlying pathophysiological mechanisms compared to participants with type 1 or 2 diabetes. Intensive management of risk factors to delay the progression of neuropathy in LADA may be required.

Corneal nerve fiber loss in diabetes with chronic kidney disease.

AIMS: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in type 2 diabetes typically manifest with severe peripheral neuropathy. Corneal confocal microscopy is a novel technique that may serve as a marker of nerve injury in peripheral neuropathy. This study examines the changes that occur in corneal nerve morphology as a result of peripheral neuropathy due to renal dysfunction in people with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Sixty-two participants (mean age, 62 ± 12 years) with type 2 diabetes and 25 age-matched healthy controls underwent a comprehensive assessment of neuropathy using the total neuropathy score (TNS). The corneal sub-basal nerve plexus was imaged using corneal confocal microscopy. Corneal nerve fiber length, fiber density, branch density, total branch density, nerve fractal dimension, inferior whorl length and inferior whorl nerve fractal dimension were quantified. Based on the eGFR, participants were classified into those with diabetic CKD (eGFR < 60; n = 22) and those without CKD (eGFR ≥ 60; n = 40). RESULTS: Participants with diabetic CKD had significantly lower corneal nerve fiber density (P = 0.037), length (P = 0.036) and nerve fractal dimension (P = 0.036) compared to those without CKD. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that reduced corneal nerve fiber density (ß coefficient = 0.098, P = 0.017), length (ß coefficient = 0.006, P = 0.008) and nerve fractal dimension (ß coefficient = 0.001, P = 0.007) was associated with low eGFR levels when adjusted for age, duration of diabetes and severity of neuropathy. CONCLUSION: Corneal confocal microscopy detects corneal nerve loss in patients with diabetic CKD and reduction in corneal nerve parameters is associated with the decline of kidney function.

Relative contributions of diabetes and chronic kidney disease to neuropathy development in diabetic nephropathy patients.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused by diabetes is known as diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The present study aimed to examine the underlying mechanisms of axonal dysfunction and features of neuropathy in DKD compared to CKD and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) alone. METHODS: Patients with DKD (n = 30), CKD (n = 28) or T2DM (n = 40) and healthy controls (n = 41) underwent nerve excitability assessments to examine axonal function. Neuropathy was assessed using the Total Neuropathy Score. A validated mathematical model of human axons was utilised to provide an indication of the underlying causes of nerve pathophysiology. RESULTS: Total neuropathy score was significantly higher in patients with DKD compared to those with either CKD or T2DM (p < 0.05). In DKD, nerve excitability measures (S2 accommodation and superexcitability, p < 0.05) were more severely affected compared to both CKD and T2DM and worsened with increasing serum K+ (p < 0.01). Mathematical modelling indicated the basis for nerve dysfunction in DKD was an elevation of extracellular K+ and reductions in Na+ permeability and the hyperpolarisation-activated cation current, which was similar to CKD. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with DKD manifested a more severe neuropathy phenotype and shared features of nerve dysfunction to that of CKD. SIGNIFICANCE: The CKD, and not diabetes component, appears to underlie axonal pathophysiology in DKD.

Tear film substance P: A potential biomarker for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes that occur in the concentrations of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in tears as a result of corneal denervation and its association with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). METHODS: Sixty-three individuals with type 1 diabetes/type 2 diabetes (T1D/T2D) and 34 age-matched healthy controls underwent a detailed assessment of neuropathy using the Total Neuropathy Score (TNS). The concentration of SP and CGRP in tears was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The corneal sub-basal nerve plexus was imaged using corneal confocal microscopy. Corneal nerve fibre length, fibre density, branch density, total branch density, nerve fractal dimension and inferior whorl length were quantified. RESULTS: In T1D, the median [IQR] concentration of SP in tears was significantly reduced in those with DPN, (130 [61-692]pg/mL) compared to both control subjects (763 [405-1555]pg/mL, P < 0.01) and in those without DPN (914 [339-1832]pg/mL, P = 0.01); the concentration of CGRP was not changed. In T2D, there was no difference in neuropeptides between participants with diabetes and controls, regardless of neuropathic status. In T1D and T2D, corneal nerve parameters were significantly different between those with DPN or without DPN and controls. A significant correlation was noted between the concentration of tear film SP and TNS in T1D (r = -0.49; P < 0.001) and corneal nerve fibre density (r = 0.45; P < 0.001). The concentration of tear film CGRP was correlated significantly with the reduction of corneal nerve fibre density (r = 0.41; P = 0.01) in T1D. CONCLUSION: Tear film SP may provide a potential non-invasive biomarker for assessing neuropathy in T1D.