Objective: To investigate the relationship between the serum resistin concentration and type 2 DM with peripheral neuropathy.
Methods: Ninety-six patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) among which 52 were with peripheral neuropathy (DM + PN) and 34 healthy persons undergoing routine physical examination as controls were studied. Body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), fasting insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and beta-cell action measured by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-beta), and blood lipids were measured. ELISA was used to detect the serum resistin, Endothelins (ET), and nitrogen oxide (NO).
Results: The serum resistin level of the DM + PN patients was (26 +/- 9) ng/ml, significantly higher than that of the DM patients [(20 +/- 6) ng/ml, P < 0.05]. Th serum resistin level was positively correlated with FINS, Homa-IR, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and ET (all P < 0.05) and significantly negatively correlated with HOMA-beta and NO (both P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Resistin may play a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 DM and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.