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Elevated neurofilament light chain (NFL) mRNA levels in prediabetic peripheral neuropathy

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Abstract

Evidence suggests that peripheral nerve injury occurs during the early stages of disease with mild glycemic dysregulation. Two proteins, neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and neurofilament light chain (NFL), have been examined previously as possible markers of neuronal damage in the pathophysiology of neuropathies. Herein, we aimed to determine the potential value of circulatory NSE and NFL mRNA levels in prediabetic patients and in those with peripheral neuropathy. This prospective clinical study included 45 prediabetic patients and 30 age- and sex-matched controls. All prediabetic patients were assessed with respect to diabetes-related microvascular complications, such as peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy. mRNA levels of NSE and NFL were determined in the blood by real-time polymerase chain reaction. NSE mRNA levels were similar between prediabetic and control groups (p > 0.05), whereas NFL mRNA levels were significantly higher in prediabetics than in controls (p < 0.001). NSE mRNA levels did not significantly differ between prediabetic patients with and without peripheral neuropathy (p > 0.05), while NFL mRNA levels were significantly higher in prediabetics with peripheral neuropathy than in those without (p = 0.038). According to correlation analysis, NFL mRNA levels were positively correlated with the Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire score in prediabetic patients (r = 0.302, p = 0.044). This is the first study to suggest blood NFL mRNA as a surrogate marker for early prediction of prediabetic peripheral neuropathy, while NSE mRNA levels may be of no diagnostic value in prediabetic patients.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Bozok University Scientific Research Project Unit (2013 TF/A36) and was conducted at Bozok University Hospital.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Medical School, Bozok University, 66200, Yozgat, Turkey

    Asuman Celikbilek & Nermin Tanik

  2. Department of Medical Biology, Medical School, Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey

    Seda Sabah

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey

    Elif Borekci & Lutfi Akyol

  4. Department of Neurosurgery, Medical School, Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey

    Hakan Ak

  5. Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School, Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey

    Mehmet Adam

  6. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical School, Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey

    Murat Suher

  7. Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Medical School, Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey

    Neziha Yilmaz

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  1. Asuman Celikbilek
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Correspondence to Asuman Celikbilek.

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Celikbilek, A., Tanik, N., Sabah, S. et al. Elevated neurofilament light chain (NFL) mRNA levels in prediabetic peripheral neuropathy. Mol Biol Rep 41, 4017–4022 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-014-3270-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-014-3270-y

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