Sweat gland nerve fiber density and association with sudomotor function, symptoms, and risk factors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

• Published in: Clinical autonomic research 2023-12, Vol.33 (6), p.691-703
• Main Authors: Rasmussen, Vinni Faber, Schmeichel, Ann, Thrysøe, Mathilde, Nyengaard, Jens Randel, Christensen, Ann-Margrethe Rønholt, Vestergaard, Esben Thyssen, Kristensen, Kurt, Terkelsen, Astrid Juhl, Karlsson, Páll, Singer, Wolfgang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; Autonomic nervous system; Biopsy; Blood pressure; Cardiology; Cholesterol; Confocal microscopy; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus (insulin dependent); Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - pathology; Diabetic neuropathy; Endocrinology; Exocrine glands; Gastroenterology; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Innervation; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Microvasculature; Nerve Fibers - physiology; Nerves; Neurology; Ophthalmology; Research Article; Risk Factors; Skin tests; Sweat; Sweat gland; Sweat Glands - physiology; Teenagers
• ISSN: 0959-9851; 1619-1560
• DOI: 10.1007/s10286-023-00973-7

Purpose To quantify sweat gland nerve fiber density in adolescents with diabetes. Additionally, to investigate associations between sudomotor innervation, sweat responses, and possible risk factors for sudomotor neuropathy. Methods Cross-sectional study where 60 adolescents with type 1 diabetes (duration > 5 years) and 23 control subjects were included. Clinical data, quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test, and skin biopsies were obtained. Skin tissue was immunostained and imaged by confocal microscopy. Quantification of the sweat gland volume and three-dimensional reconstruction of the nerve fibers was performed using a design-unbiased technique. Results Adolescents with diabetes had a significant reduction of maximum and mean values of nerve fiber length and nerve fiber density in sweat glands compared to controls ( p values