Relation between plasma Apelin level and peripheral neuropathy in Type 2 diabetic patients

Peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common complications of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, Long standing peripheral neuropathic pain associated with peripheral neuropathy occurs in one of six diabetic subjects, Apelin is a peptide secreted from adipocytes that seems to be beneficial in early detection of diabetic neuropathy, Itisnotedthatitincreasesindiabeticpatients and more in those with neuropathy.

We aimed to study the relation between plasma apelin levels and peripheral neuropathy in a sample of type 2 egyptian diabetic patients METHODS: The current study included 60 subjects with type 2 diabetes divided into 30 with diabetic neuropathy (group I) and 30 without diabetic neuropathy (group II) and 20 healthy subjects as a control group (group III). Fasting plasma glucose, Fasting insulin, HOMA- IR, Hemoglobin A1c, Total cholesterol, Triglycerides, High density lipoproteins, Low density lipoprotiens and Apelin levels were assessed. Neurological evaluation in diabetic subjects wasdone by nerve conduction study and clinical examination by using microfilament and tunning fork.

On comparing the three studied groups a statistical significant difference in plasma Apelin levels was found (p < 0.001) being highest in group I followed by group II then group III(957.433 ± 221.031 pg/dl, 665.967 ± 110.991 pg/dl and 502.950 ± 201.008 pg/dl respectively). There was a statistical significant positive correlation between plasma Apelin and diabetes duration (r = 0.5), age (r = 0.4) and BMI (r = 0.2).

Apelin levels in diabetic patients are higher in the presence of neuropathy, longer disease duration, advanced age and BMI. This draws attention to the possible association between the apelinergic system and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.