Plasma-myoinositol concentrations in uraemic neuropathy

In a series of patients with chronic renal failure managed conservatively, the rise in the plasma-myo-inositol (myoinositol) concentration has been found to be related to depression of sural-nerve conduction velocity. There was no correlation with motor-nerve conduction velocity in the peroneal nerve, or with either of these variables in a series of patients receiving chronic haemodialysis. Despite the negative correlation with sural-nerve conduction velocity, there was no correlation between the plasma-myoinositol concentration and the presence of peripheral neuropathy as assessed clinically. It is concluded that hypermyoinositolaemia may depress nerve conduction velocity, but there is no evidence that it is responsible for the development of uraemic polyneuropathy.