Is calprotectin a novel biomarker of neuroinflammation in diabetic periferal neuropathy?

Abstract

Background: In the present study, we aimed to investigate serum calprotectin levels in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and possible role of this molecule in the disease pathogenesis. Method: Twenty nine patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, 30 type 2 diabetic patients without neuropathy, and 40 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), high-density lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein- cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol, triglyceride, HbA1c, calprotectin and hsCRP levels were measured in diabetic and healthy control groups. Results: Serum calprotectin and hsCRP levels were significantly higher in patients with and without neuropathy than healthy controls (p<0.001, p=0.017, p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). Serum calprotectin and hsCRP levels were higher in diabetics with neuropathy than the ones without (p=0.021 and p<0.001, respectively). The positive correlation was detected between calprotectin levels and hsCRP and HbA1c in Spearman correlation analysis (r=0.510, p<0.001; r=0.437, p<0.001 respectively). The results of multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated the important association between neuropathy development and hsCRP and serum calprotectin levels in diabetic individuals. Conclusion: Seum calprotectin levels were increased in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. It may have a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.