| dc.description.abstract | Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of
type 2 diabetes mellitus, with complex pathophysiology involving chronic
hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Nerve Growth
Factor (NGF) plays a crucial role in maintaining peripheral nerve integrity, and its
concentration is thought to reflect the degree of nerve damage. The relationship
between NGF levels, neuropathy scores, and insulin resistance remains unclear.
Objective: To evaluate the association between Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) levels,
metabolic parameters, and Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) scores
in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted involving 77 patients with
type 2 diabetes mellitus, divided into two groups based on the presence of diabetic
peripheral neuropathy (DPN), as assessed using MNSI A and/or MNSI B scores.
Serum levels of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), Homeostasis Model Assessment for
Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), Homeostasis Model Assessment for Beta-cell function
(HOMA-β), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and 2-hour
postprandial glucose (2HPP) were measured. Correlation analyses were performed
to assess the association between NGF levels and metabolic parameters.
Results: All 77 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus had abnormal NGF levels (<11
pg/mL). In the overall sample, NGF levels showed a significant negative correlation
with HOMA-IR and HOMA-β (p = 0.021; r = –0.263 and p = 0.005; r = –0.316,
respectively). Among the 37 patients diagnosed with diabetic peripheral neuropathy
(11 positive on MNSI A, 10 on MNSI B, and 16 on both A and B), a significant negative
correlation was also observed between NGF and HOMA-β (p = 0.009; r = –0.425).
No significant correlation was found between NGF and FBG, 2HPP, or HbA1c in the
DPN group. NGF levels were significantly associated with MNSI part B scores (p =
0.032), but not with part A or the combined MNSI score.
Conclusion: A significant negative correlation was found between NGF levels and
both HOMA-IR and HOMA-β, indicating the involvement of insulin resistance in the
reduction of NGF levels among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. NGF levels were
also significantly associated with the MNSI part B score, confirming that physical
examination more accurately reflects neuropathic changes related to NGF levels. No
significant associations were observed between NGF levels and HbA1c, FPG, 2 h PP. | en_US |
