The level of erythrocyte aldose reductase: a risk factor for diabetic neuropathy?
The level of erythrocyte aldose reductase protein (AR-p) was determined in diabetic patients as well as in 76 healthy controls by a two-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. No significant difference in the mean AR-p level was demonstrated between the healthy and diabetic individuals. Based on the results of seven nerve function tests, 95 non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients were classified into two groups: Group I, without demonstrable neuropathy ( < or = 1 abnormal test results); Group II, overt neuropathy ( > or = 2 abnormal results). The AR-p level was significantly higher in Group II than that in Group I. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified two independent risk factors for overt neuropathy: longer duration of diabetes after clinical diagnosis (odds ratio, 1.15 per year; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.25) and a higher level of AR-p (odds ratio, 1.92 per 1 ng mgHb(-1); 95% confidence interval, 1.39-2.65). On 31 patients the AR-p level was re-assessed after a 12-month follow-up period. Irrespective of improved or stable HbA(1c) levels during the follow-up period, no apparent alteration in the level of AR-p was demonstrated. These results suggest that erythrocyte AR-p level may affect the susceptibility or development of diabetic neuropathy in NIDDM patients.
Ito
T
T
Diabetes Center, Tokyo Women's Medical College, Japan.
Nishimura
C
C
Takahashi
Y
Y
Saito
T
T
Omori
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000449:Aldehyde Reductase / Q000097:blood*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000201:enzymology / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology*; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
D000449:Aldehyde Reductase; D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D013012:Sorbitol