Mechanisms of disease: the oxidative stress theory of diabetic neuropathy.
Authors Figueroa-Romero C, Sadidi M, Feldman EL
Submitted By Eva Feldman on 2/8/2009
Status Published
Journal Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disorders
Year 2008
Date Published 12/1/2008
Volume : Pages 9(4) : 301 - 314
PubMed Reference 18709457
Abstract Diabetic neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes, affecting 50%
of diabetic patients. Currently, the only treatment for diabetic neuropathy is
glucose control and careful foot care. In this review, we discuss the idea that
excess glucose overloads the electron transport chain, leading to the production
of superoxides and subsequent mitochondrial and cytosolic oxidative stress.
Defects in metabolic and vascular pathways intersect with oxidative stress to
produce the onset and progression of nerve injury present in diabetic
neuropathy. These pathways include the production of advanced glycation end
products, alterations in the sorbitol, hexosamine and protein kinase C pathways
and activation of poly-ADP ribose polymerase. New bioinformatics approaches can
augment current research and lead to new discoveries to understand the
pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy and to identify more effective molecular
therapeutic targets.


Investigators with authorship
NameInstitution
Eva FeldmanUniversity of Michigan

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