Elevated peripheral blood levels of CXCL10 are associated with the presence of diabetic polyneuropathy in subjects with type 2 diabetes

Abstract Background : Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) has high morbidity and mortality. Major risk factors of DPN include metabolic changes, duration of diabetes, nerve ischemia, and derangements in regeneration and nerve repair programs. The implication of chemokines in the pathogenesis of various neuropathies and neuropathic pain processes has been studied previously. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the association between plasma levels of chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 with the presence of DPN in a cohort of type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. Methods : We have studied a total of 73 T2D patients (36 patients with DPN, and 37 without DPN). DPN was established through the Semmes-Weinstein test (SW). Plasma levels of circulating chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 were determined using Duoset ELISA kits (Abingdon, UK). Results: In T2D patients with similar gender distribution, duration of the disease, peripheral macroangiopathy, and metabolic control, we detected significantly higher serum levels of chemokine CXCL10 among patients with DPN than among patients without DPN (57.6 ± 38.3 vs. 38.1 ± 33.4 pg/mL, respectively; p = 0.034). Serum levels of chemokine CXCL9 were also higher among patients with DPN (188.1 ± 72.7 and 150.4 ± 83.6 pg/mL, respectively, p = 0.06). Conclusions : DPN in T2D patients was associated with a significant increase in CXCL10 circulating levels, suggesting a role for this chemokine in the DPN. Novel inflammatory markers that allow for early detection and therapeutic strategies in order to reverse and prevent the DPN should be investigated.