Immunotherapy has been investigated in a small subset of peripheral neuropathies, including an acute one, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and 3 chronic forms: chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, multifocal motor neuropathy, and neuropathy associated with IgM anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein. Several experimental studies and clinical data are strongly suggestive of an immune-mediated pathogenesis. Either cell-mediated mechanisms or antibody responses to Schwann cell, compact myelin, or nodal antigens are considered to act together in an aberrant immune response to cause damage to peripheral nerves. Immunomodulatory treatments used in these neuropathies aim to act at various steps of this pathogenic process. However, there are many phenotypic variants and, consequently, there is a significant difference in the response to immunotherapy between these neuropathies, as well as a need to improve our knowledge and long-term management of chronic forms.
Background and Aims: Little data regarding distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP) prevalence in Romania is available. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of DSP in our cohort, to characterize it depending on glycemic control, and also to find an easy-to-apply method for DSP screening which could be used in Romania. Material andMethods: We performed a cross-sectional study enrolling 51 patients followed in the Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Clinic, Clinical County Hospital of Craiova, Romania. A complete evaluation protocol consisting in clinical examination and Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI), together with nerve conduction studies were applied for evaluation. Results: Among the type 2 diabetic patients investigated, 72.54% had DSP. Three-quarters of them had poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥7%). Mean HbA1c level was 9.17%. Poor glycemic control led to a more severe DSP form as proven by nerve conduction studies and clinical examination. Allodynia and motor deficit were predominantly found with HbA1c ≥7%. Mean MNSI score for the group was 2.55, strongly correlated with nerve conduction studies. Conclusion: MNSI is a simple and validated diagnostic tool for DSP with a strong correlation to electrophysiological parameters. Therefore, its daily implementation in clinical practice could help identify and follow patients at risk for DSP.
Glucose enters the endothelium via a non-insulin sensitive GLUT-
Type 2 diabetes represents an independent risk factor for vascular cerebral pathology, with a 2-3 times greater probability of stroke. The number of diabetic patients with stroke increased substantially from 6.2% to 11.3% during 1996-2006. Ischemic stroke, small or large vessels occlusion, is the main subtype of cerebrovascular disease, while a smaller percentage is attributed to cerebral hemorrhage. Hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, excess free fatty acids, prothrombotic state cause endothelial dysfunction with blood flow disturbance and major cerebral vessels injury. Elevated blood sugar levels are also associated with a poor prognosis during post-stroke phase. From the total number of deaths caused by acute cerebrovascular events, 16% for men and 33% for women are due to diabetes.
Central nervous system, mainly the hypothalamus and the brainstem are importantkeys in glucose homeostasis. Not only do they use glucose as primary fuel for theirfunctioning but they are part of intricate neuronal circuits involved in glucose uptakeand production as was first shown by Claude Bernard. Moreoverelectrophysiological analysis of hypothalamus revealed the existence of glucosensingneurons whose firing rates are controlled by glucose extracellular level. Furtherinformation was obtained regarding the importance of leptin, insulin and free fattyacids as afferent signals received by these neural structures. As for the main efferentpathways, autonomic system is the one connecting CNS with the effector organs (theliver, the pancreas and the adrenal glands).
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