Correlation between plasma homocysteine level and impaired glucose tolerance in patients with peripheral neuropathy

Abstract

Objective To investigate the correlation between plasma homocysteine level and impaired glucose tolerance(IGT) patients in peripheral neuropathy. Methods 80 patients with IGT were selected according to the results of routine nerve conduction test, including 40 patients associated with peripheral neuropathy (IGT-PN), and 40 patients without peripheral neuropathy (IGT-NPN). Besides, 40 healthy subjects were selected as control. Plasma homocysteine levels were measured in the three groups by enzyme rate method. The severity of neuropathy was scored and graded by the Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS). Results Plasma homocysteine levels were significantly higher in the all IGT groups than those in the control group. The plasma homocysteine level in the IGT-PN group (14.2±2.7) μmol/L was significantly higher than that in the IGT-NPN group (12.3±2.6) μmol/L (P<0.05). Regression analysis showed that plasma homocysteine level had independent effects on IGT with peripheral neuropathy. Plasma homocysteine level was positively correlated with TCSS score. Conclusions Plasma homocysteine may play an important role in the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathy in patients with IGT, and their level may be associated with the severity of peripheral neuropathy. Key words: Homocysteine; Impaired glucose tolerance; Peripheral neuropathy; Toronto clinical scoring system