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Sural nerve oxygen tension in diabetes
British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Ed.)
|October 25, 1986
Summary
Diabetic patients with neuropathy have lower peripheral nerve oxygen levels. This reduced oxygenation in the sural nerve may contribute to the development of diabetic neuropathy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Diabetology
- Physiology
Background:
- Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus.
- The exact mechanisms underlying diabetic neuropathy are not fully understood.
- Peripheral nerve function is dependent on adequate oxygen supply.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate peripheral nerve oxygen tensions in diabetic patients with sensorimotor neuropathy.
- To compare endoneurial oxygen levels in neuropathic diabetic nerves with non-neuropathic subjects.
- To explore the potential role of reduced nerve oxygenation in diabetic neuropathy etiology.
Main Methods:
- In vivo assessment of peripheral nerve oxygen tensions using microelectrodes.
- Measurement of endoneurial oxygen tension in the exposed sural nerve.
- Comparison of nerve oxygen levels with dorsal foot vein values.
Main Results:
- Diabetic patients with chronic sensorimotor neuropathy exhibited a mean endoneurial oxygen tension of 39.7 (SD 10.2) mm Hg.
- In nearly all diabetic patients, nerve oxygen tensions were lower than dorsal foot vein values.
- Non-neuropathic subjects did not show this reduction in nerve oxygen tension.
Conclusions:
- Reduced endoneurial oxygen tension is a characteristic finding in diabetic patients with sensorimotor neuropathy.
- This unphysiological state of low nerve oxygen may play a significant role in the development of diabetic neuropathy.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the etiological link between nerve hypoxia and diabetic neuropathy.