Objective To explore the serum levels of vitamin D and ferritin (SF) in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and their correlations with oxidative stress.

Methods A total of 216 diabetic patients were included in this study and divided into control group (n=171, no concurrent DPN) and observation group (n=45, concurrent DPN) according to whether the patients were combined with DPN. The general data and serum levels of the two groups were compared. Pearson method and multiple stepwise regression analysis were used to investigate the correlations between serum ferritin, vitamin D and oxidative stress.

Results SF and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the observation group were (575.65±38.42) ng/mL and (18.68±2.15) mmol/L, which were higher than (441.96±51.37) ng/mL and (12.63±3.32) mmol/L, respectively in the control group (P < 0.05). The levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D25-(OH)D, reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the observation group were (10.68±2.25) ng/mL, (104.13±22.15) mg/L and (70.63±11.45) mg/L, respectively, which were lower than (17.47±5.61) ng/mL, (197.58±43.19) mg/L and (114.39±25.87) mg/L, respectively in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that SF, 25-(OH)D, GSH, SOD and MDA had certain impacts on DPN complications in patients. Pearson method showed that SF was negatively correlated with GSH, but positively correlated with MDA (P < 0.05). 25-(OH)D was positively correlated with GSH and SOD (P < 0.05). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that MDA had a significant positive impact on SF, while GSH had a negative impact on SF (P < 0.05); GSH and SOD had a significant positive impact on 25-(OH)D (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Oxidative stress, SF and vitamin D are involved in the occurrence and development of DPN, and oxidative stress is closely related to SF and vitamin D.