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C-Peptide replacement therapy and sensory nerve function in type 1 diabetic neuropathy
Karin Ekberg1, Tom Brismar, Bo-Lennart Johansson
1Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. karin.ekberg@creativepeptides.se
Diabetes Care
|December 29, 2006
Summary
C-peptide treatment improved sensory nerve function in patients with type 1 diabetes and neuropathy. This study suggests C-peptide may be a viable therapeutic option for diabetic neuropathy.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neurology
- Metabolic Diseases
Background:
- Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of type 1 diabetes.
- C-peptide replacement has shown promise in animal models for nerve repair.
- Peripheral nerve dysfunction significantly impacts quality of life in diabetic patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of C-peptide administration in improving sensory nerve function in patients with type 1 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy.
- To assess the impact of C-peptide on neurological impairment and nerve conduction velocity.
Main Methods:
- An exploratory, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted across five Swedish centers.
- 139 patients with type 1 diabetes and neuropathy received either placebo, 1.5 mg/day, or 4.5 mg/day of C-peptide for 6 months.
- Neurological examinations and neurophysiological measurements were performed pre- and post-treatment.
Main Results:
- C-peptide treatment significantly improved sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) compared to placebo (P < 0.007).
- A higher proportion of C-peptide treated patients showed SCV improvement >1.0 m/s (P < 0.03).
- Improvements were also observed in neurological impairment scores and vibration perception in C-peptide groups (P < 0.011 and P < 0.002).
Conclusions:
- Six months of C-peptide treatment effectively enhances sensory nerve function in early-stage type 1 diabetic neuropathy.
- C-peptide demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for managing diabetic neuropathy.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in larger patient cohorts.
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