Does the glycolytic metabolite methylglyoxal alter C-fibre activity-dependent slowing?

It has long been debated as to why some diabetic paitients develop painful neuropathies yet others do not. However, recently it has been discovered that those that develop pain have high levels of a particular metabolite in their bloodstream. Investigation suggests that this metabolite infleunces the activity of proteins called ion channels that are crucial for sending electrical signals along nerve fibres. This project will directly explore whether this metabolite alters the relay of electrical signals along pain sensing nerve fibres. This work will help us to understand the link between this metabolite and pain.