Candidate metabolite markers of peripheral neuropathy in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objectives: To analyze the serum and urine metabolites present in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and T2DM patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and to select differentially expressed biomarkers for early diagnosis of DPN.

Methods: Serum and urine metabolites from 74 T2DM patients with peripheral neuropathy and 41 without peripheral neuropathy were analyzed using gas chromatograph system with time-of-flight mass spectrometer metabolomics to detect biomarkers of peripheral neuropathy in T2DM.

Results: There were increased serum triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase, and decreased C-peptide, and total cholesterol levels in T2DM patients with DPN compared to those without peripheral neuropathy.