Abstract:Objective To investigate potential association between 25- hydroxyvitamin D3 [25-(OH) D3] , CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in peripheral blood and patients with type 2 diabetes peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods A total of 42 cases with type 2 diabetes were enrolled into the study; 28 patients were identified as DPN and 14 cases as non-DPN according to clinical symptoms, signs and electrophysiological tests. Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay was performed to measure the peripheral blood 25- (OH) D3. CD4+ Tregs cells was measured by flow cytometry. Results Serum levels of 25- (OH) D3 decreased significantly in DPN group when compared with non-DPN (P < 0.05). Percentage of CD4+ Tregs decreased significantly in DPN group when compared with non- DPN (P < 0.05). Positive correlation between 25- (OH) D3 and percentage of CD4+ Tregswas identified (P < 0.05). Conclusions Peripheral blood 25- (OH) D3 and the percentage of CD4+ Tregs may be related with the occurrence of DPN in patients with T2DM.