Dietary folic acid prevents peripheral neuropathy in mouse models of neural tube defects and type 2 diabetes.

ABSTRACT: Folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism is implicated in several pathologies including neural tube defects (NTDs), cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders, whereas diabetes is associated with NTDs and peripheral neuropathy (PN). The development of peripheral neuropathy was assessed in Shmt1^+/- and Shmt1^-/- mice, which are models of human folic acid-responsive NTDs, and diabetic (Lepr^db) mice to determine whether NTDs and PN have a shared etiology. From 6 wk of age, male and female mice with reduced Shmt1 expression exhibited PN, with greater severity in females compared to males. The neuropathic progression was distinct from diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) observed in Lepr^db mice. Excess dietary folic acid prevented

SUBMITTER: Chakraborty J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12773702 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature