Is resistance to ischaemic conduction failure induced by hypoxia? (original) (raw)

Summary

Resistance to ischaemic conduction failure is a recognised but unexplained property of diabetic peripheral nerve. We have studied matched groups of control, diabetic, and non-diabetic hypoxic subjects (hypoxia: arterial oxygen tension ⩽ 60 mm Hg (8 kPa) on at least one occasion and secondary to chronic lung disease). Similar resistance to ischaemia was seen in the hypoxic and diabetic groups compared with control subjects (p<0.001). The degree of resistance correlated with arterial oxygen tension at the time of testing (r = 0.72, p<0.01). In all individuals with acute exacerbations of hypoxia, the resistance to ischaemia was normalised with improvement of respiratory function (p<0.02). These results are compatible with the hypothesis that endoneurial hypoxia may be a factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Manchester Royal Infirmary, UK
    E. A. Masson, S. E. Church & A. J. M. Boulton
  2. Wythenshawe Hospital, UK
    A. A. Woodcock
  3. Monsall Hospital, Manchester, UK
    S. P. Hanley

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  1. E. A. Masson
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  2. S. E. Church
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  3. A. A. Woodcock
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  4. S. P. Hanley
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  5. A. J. M. Boulton
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Masson, E.A., Church, S.E., Woodcock, A.A. et al. Is resistance to ischaemic conduction failure induced by hypoxia?.Diabetologia 31, 762–765 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00274780

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