Plasma homocysteine and peripheral neuropathy of type 2 diabetes

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the plasma homocysteine and peripheral neuropathy of type 2 diabetes, and the association of plasma homocysteine level with serum folate level. Methods: 24 KKAy mice were divided into three groups: KA-high heat diet; KB- high heat + methionine diet; KC-high heat + methionine + folic acid diet and 16 C57 mice were divided into two groups: CA-high heat diet; CB-high heat + methionine diet. The plasma Hcy level, plasma folic acids level were measured and light microscope, electron microscope were used to observe changes of neuropathomorphology of sciatic nerve. Results: 1) The mean plasm level of Hcy was higher in KKAy mice than that in C57mice. 2) In KKAy mice, the structure of sciatic nerve was deteriorated. In the group with hyperhomocysteinemia(HHcy), the deficit was the most serious. The folic acids can lighten its deficit. Conclusion: HHcy was a risk for microangiopathy in type 2 diabetes, and folate level influenced the plasma Hcy level in type 2 diabetes.