It is becoming apparent that a number of pathogenic mechanisms contribute to diabetic neuropathy, so that therapeutic interventions that target one particular mechanism may have limited success. A recently published preclinical study has adopted an alternative approach by using a novel small molecule to induce heat-shock protein 70. This confers upon neurons, and perhaps other cells of the nervous system, the ability to better tolerate the diverse stresses associated with diabetes rather than intervening in their production.
Keywords: HSP, heat-shock protein; IENF, intra-epidermal nerve fibres; MNCV, motor nerve conduction velocity; diabetes; diabetic neuropathy; heat-shock protein (HSP); heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70).