Neurofilament Light Chain Assessment in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Distal Symmetrical Polyneuropathy

Israa Abdelmalik Salem; Sura  Ahmed Abdulsattar; Haider Fadhil  Alrubaye

doi:10.32947/ajps.v25i1.1122

Authors

Israa Abdelmalik Salem Al-Karama Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq
Sura Ahmed Abdulsattar Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Al-Mustansyriah University, Baghdad, Iraq
Haider Fadhil Alrubaye Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Al-Mustansyriah University, Baghdad, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32947/ajps.v25i1.1122

Keywords:

Neurofilament Ligh Chain, Distal Symmetrical Polyneuropathy, Nerve Conduction , Study, Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument

Abstract

Background: A neuron-specific cytoskeletal protein called Neurofilament light chain is present in the cytoplasm of myelinated axons especially those with a large diameter which is essential for maintaining the size as well as for structural support.

Aging, impaired renal function, liver disorders, neuropathies, and diabetes are linked to the elevation of serum neurofilament light chain. It considers a non-invasive biomarker that could aid in diagnosing distal symmetric polyneuropathy, and potentially predict its course.

Objectives: To assess serum Neurofilament light chain levels of Distal Symmetric polyneuropathic diabetic patients and compare its levels with diabetic patients without Distal Symmetric polyneuropathy using nerve study and scoring system for screening of michigan.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional research involved 126 males and females with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. It was run between the end of 2022 and the middle of 2023 at the Diabetic Centre of Mustansiriyah University. After obtaining verbal approval, the studied patients were evaluated for their peripheral nerve function. In addition to their blood pressure, their body mass index was calculated using their height and weight. The lipid profile and Neurofilament Light Chain were all analyzed using the serum. Formulas were used to compute Both LDL-c and VLDC.

Results: This study showed no change in the serum levels of the neurofilament light chain when comparing patients with and without distal symmetric polyneuropathy, additionally, no change was found based on the patient screening scores of Michigan. Moreover, Neurofilament Light Chain levels were substantially reduced in patients who were taking sulfonylurea alone or in combination with other anti-diabetic treatments. In patients who were taking antilipidemic statin therapy, the serum levels of the Neurofilament Light Chain were substantially reduced compared to those not receiving it.

Conclusion: The serum level of the neurofilament light chain was affected by the presence of distal symmetric polyneuropathy although as a clinical condition, it is associated with axonal damage, it was found that it could not be used for the prediction of distal symmetric polyneuropathy.

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