title: The Association between Serum Cytokines and Damage to Large and Small Nerve Fibers in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.
abstract: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a frequent complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and may involve small and large peripheral nerve fibers. Recent evidence suggests a role of cytokines in DPN. The paper is aimed at exploring whether the serum concentration of cytokines is associated with small and large nerve fiber function and with neuropathic pain (NP). We recruited a group of 32 type 2 DM patients who underwent serum cytokines (TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10) dosage as well as electrodiagnostic and quantitative sensory testing (QST) assessment to explore damage to large and small nerve fibers. Raised serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 correlated with markers of large nerve fiber sensory and motor axonal damage. Raised IL-10 serum level was associated with signs of motor nerve demyelination. No differences were found in pain characteristics and electrodiagnostic and QST markers of small nerve fiber function in relation to cytokines serum levels. IL-6 and IL-10 serum levels were associated with large nerve fiber damage but not to small fibers function or NP. IL-6 and IL-10 cytokines might play a role in the pathogenesis of nerve fiber damage or represent a compensatory or neuroprotective mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Piazzale Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Magrinelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Sciences NPSRR, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 5, 35128 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Briani
authors.affiliation: Neurology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedali Riuniti Villa Sofia Cervello, Piazzetta Salerno 3, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Sciences NPSRR, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 5, 35128 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ruggero
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Sciences NPSRR, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 5, 35128 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Toffanin
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedali Riuniti Villa Sofia Cervello, Piazzetta Salerno 3, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppa
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Triolo
authors.affiliation: Diabetology Unit, Pederzoli Hospital, Via Monte Baldo 24, 37019 Peschiera del Garda, Italy.
authors.forename: George Chummar
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Peter
authors.affiliation: Neurology Unit, Pederzoli Hospital, Via Monte Baldo 24, 37019 Peschiera del Garda, Italy.
authors.forename: Marialuigia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Praitano
authors.affiliation: Neurology Unit, Pederzoli Hospital, Via Monte Baldo 24, 37019 Peschiera del Garda, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo Francesco
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Lauriola
authors.affiliation: Neurology Unit, Pederzoli Hospital, Via Monte Baldo 24, 37019 Peschiera del Garda, Italy.
authors.forename: Giampietro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zanette
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Piazzale Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1561-2187
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tamburin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines