Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2012, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (5): 392-399.

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Detrimental impact of hyperlipidemia on the peripheral nervous system A novel target of medical epidemiological and fundamental research study

Song Wu1, Xu Cao2, Rongzhen He1, Kun Xiong3   

  1. 1 Department of Orthopedics, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
    2 Clinical Medicine Eight-year Program, 01 Class, 07 Grade, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
    3 Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Xiangya Medical School of Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
  • Received:2011-10-18 Revised:2011-10-18 Online:2012-02-15 Published:2012-02-15
  • Contact: Kun Xiong, M.D., Ph.D., Associate professor, Master’s supervisor, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Xiangya Medical School of Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China Xiongkun2001@163.com
  • About author:Song Wu☆, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Chief physician, Master’s supervisor, Department of Orthopedics, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China

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Abstract:

Recently, epidemiological studies on the etiology of peripheral neuropathies have revealed that hyperlipidemia is a novel risk factor. Plasma lipid levels were confirmed to be associated with the incidence of many peripheral neuropathies including axonal distal polyneuropathy, vision and hearing loss, motor nerve system lesions and sympathetic nerve system dysfunction. Moreover, different lipid components such as cholesterol, triacylglycerols and lipoprotein are involved in the pathogenesis of these neuropathies. This review aimed to discuss the effect of hyperlipidemia on the peripheral nervous system and its association with peripheral neuropathies. Furthermore, a detailed discussion focusing on the explicit mechanisms related to hyperlipidemia-induced peripheral neuropathies is presented here. These mechanisms, including intracellular oxidative stress, inflammatory lesions, ischemia and dysregulation of local lipid metabolism, share pathways and interact mutually. In addition, we examined current information on clinical trials to prevent and treat peripheral neuropathies caused by hyperlipidemia, with a predictive discussion regarding the orientation of future investigations.

Key words: hyperlipidemia, peripheral nervous system, neuropathy, reviews