Lactoferrin A Promising Sign for Developing Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Aim: This work has been carried out to evaluate the levels of iron and lactoferrin (LF) as biochemical markers in Iraqi patients with type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

Methods: Eighty-one Iraqi people (aged range 40-65 years) were included in the study: 28 healthy control subjects (G1 group),26 Type 2 diabetes without any complication (G2 group), 27diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN, G3 group). Diagnosis was based upon clinical examination as well as dermo copy. Serum Lactoferrin, iron levels, TIBC, and transferrin were determined for each participant. Results: The results of lactoferrin showed highly significant increases (p= 0.000) in G2 as compared to G1 (0.62±0.15ng/ml vs. 0.36±0.53 ng/ml), while G3 showed a highly significant increase (p=0.000) as compared to G1 (0.77±0.79 ng/ml vs. 0.36±0.53 ng/ml), also G3 showed a highly significant increase (p=0.000) as compared to G2 (0.77±0.79 ng/ml vs. 0.62±0.15 ng/ml). Serum Fe showed that there were no significant differences (p=0.336) between G1 and G2 (88.53±7.42 μg/dl vs. 98.32±10.39 μg/dl), but G3 showed a highly significant increase (p=0.000) as compared to G1 (118.64±43.90 μg/dl vs. 88.53±7.42 μg/dl), and a significant increased (p=0.017) as compared to G2 (118.64±43.90 μg/dl vs. 98.32±10.39 μg/dl). The results of TIBC showed that G2 showed highly significant increase (p=0.000) as compared to G1 (400.48±49.13 μg/dl vs. 308.79 ± 36.05μg/dl) also G3 showed highly significant increase (p=0.005) as compared to G1 (342.89±28.88 μg/dl vs. 308.79 ± 36.05 μg/dl), while G2 (p=0.000) showed a highly significant increase as compared to G3 (400.48±49.13μg/dl vs. 342.89±28.88μg/dl).The Transferrin level showed that G2 has a high significant increase (p=0.000) as compared to G1 (291.07±47.39 μg/dl vs. 216.10 ± 25.26 μg/dl), also G3 showed a significant increase (p=0.013) as compared to G1 (242.23±22.14 μg/dl vs.

216.10 ± 25.26 μg/dl) while G2 showed a highly significant increase (p= 0.000) as compared to G3 (291.07±47.39 μg/dl vs. 242.23±22.14 μg/dl).

Conclusion: Lactoferrin, iron and transferrin showed highly elevated levels in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. They can be used to diagnosis of DPN and suggest the best protocol to treat those patients.