Associations of serum anti-ganglioside antibodies and inflammatory markers in diabetic peripheral neuropathy

•Correlation analysis of anti-GS-ab and inflammatory markers in DPN is innovative.•Positive correlation of serum anti-GS-ab and DPNC in DPN patients.•PAI-1, TNF-α, CRP levels were significantly increased in DPN patients.•Joint detection on PAI-1, TNF-α, CRP and anti-GS-ab in the diagnosis of DPN.•Comprehensive target of PAI-1, TNF-α, CRP and anti-GS-ab for the treatment of DPN.

AimsTo investigate the associations between inflammatory markers, serum anti-ganglioside antibodies (anti-GS-ab), serum plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).MethodsStudy subjects were divided into three groups: normal group (N group) with 101 healthy individuals; diabetes mellitus without peripheral neuropathy group (DM group) with 87 patients; and DPN group with 178 cases. American Nicolet Viking IV electromyography was applied to detect nerve conduction velocity; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of anti-GS-IgG-ab, PAI-1, and TNF-α; and immunoturbidimetry was employed to measure CRP levels.ResultsMotor nerve conduction velocity and sensory nerve conduction velocity in the DNC group were significantly lower than in the N and DM groups (all P < 0.05). Pairwise comparisons among diabetic peripheral neuropathy clinical (DPNC) levels were statistically significant (P < 0.05), and the level of anti-GS-ab was positively correlated with DPNC. There were statistically significant differences in PAI-1, TNF-α, and CRP levels between the DPN group and DM and N groups (both P < 0.05). Pairwise comparisons of PAI-1, TNF-α, and CRP levels among DPNC levels showed no statistical significance in volumes (P > 0.05), and the concentration of anti-GS-IgM-ab was in significant positive correlated with PAI-1, TNF-α, and CRP levels.ConclusionAnti-GS-ab and inflammatory markers such as PAI-1, TNF-α, and CRP were associated with DPN and can be used as important indicators for the prediction and early diagnosis of DPN.