Metabolism: clinical and experimental
-
Iron is an essential but potentially toxic metal in mammals. Here we investigated a pathogenic role of exogenous iron in peripheral diabetic neuropathy (PDN) in an animal model for type 1 diabetes. ⋯ These results indicate that dietary iron-deficiency rather than iron overload, and mild inflammation may both promote neuropathy in STZ-induced experimental PDN.
-
Methylglyoxal is known to be associated with the development of nephropathy, retinopathy, and other complications in diabetes. The present study tested the hypothesis that endogenously increased levels of methylglyoxal in diabetes are causally associated with the induction of neuropathic pain. ⋯ Endogenously increased methylglyoxal may mediate diabetic neuropathic pain via activation of both TRPA1 and Nav1.8 expressed on primary afferent sensory neurons, and injection of methylglyoxal into the hindpaw may serve as a simple and robust model for testing the anti-diabetic pain drugs.