High insulin levels are positively associated with peripheral nervous system function.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze peripheral nervous system (PNS) function in overweight and obese individuals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-four adult non-diabetic overweight individuals were recruited. Peroneal motor nerve conduction and radial, sural, and medial plantar sensory nerve conduction were studied. Insulin and glucose levels were determined twice (over a 2- to 3-year period) with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Multiple stepwise linear regression models adjusted for age, height, weight, and skin temperature were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Analysis revealed that baseline insulin levels measured 120 min after an OGTT explained 18% of the variation in peroneal F-wave minimum latency, 8% of peroneal F-wave maximum latency variation, 15% of sural sensory latency variation, 13% of sural sensory nerve conduction velocity (NCV) variation, and 10% of the variation in medial plantar sensory NCV.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Our study shows that serum insulin levels measured 120 min after an OGGT are positively associated with PNS function. High insulin levels without notably high glucose levels appear to be beneficial for the function of the PNS.