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CSF enkephalins in diabetic neuropathy
A W Chan1, I A Macfarlane, E A Masson
1Diabetes Centre, Walton Hospital, Liverpool, U.K.
Neuropeptides
|June 1, 1992
Summary
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) enkephalin levels in diabetic neuropathy patients showed wide variations and were often undetectable. These findings suggest CSF enkephalin measurements are not useful for understanding enkephalinergic pathways.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus.
- Enkephalins are endogenous opioid peptides involved in pain modulation.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of neuropeptides may offer insights into neurological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of methionine and leucine enkephalins in patients with diabetic neuropathy.
- To compare CSF enkephalin levels between diabetic patients with painful versus painless neuropathy and non-diabetic controls.
Main Methods:
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and radioimmunoassay were used to measure CSF enkephalin concentrations.
- Study included diabetic patients with painful neuropathy (n=22), painless neuropathy (n=5), and non-diabetic subjects with low back pain (n=11).
Main Results:
- Significant variability in CSF enkephalin levels was observed across all groups.
- Enkephalin levels were frequently below the limit of detection (<0.1 pmol/l) in both diabetic and non-diabetic participants.
- The origin of CSF enkephalins remains undetermined, and CSF concentrations may not correlate with tissue levels.
Conclusions:
- CSF enkephalin levels are difficult to interpret due to wide variations and low detection rates.
- Current CSF enkephalin measurements do not provide reliable information on the functional status of enkephalinergic pathways in diabetic neuropathy.