VA Research Wrap Up: New findings on autoimmune treatment, pain management and diabetes

VA’s Office of Research and Development recently published three News Briefs highlighting a potential new way to deliver autoimmune treatments, a virtual pain management program for rural Women Veterans and a new test for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

New microparticle could better deliver autoimmune treatment

The natural metabolite itaconate may reduce inflammation in autoimmune diseases, but it cannot penetrate cell walls easily and clears from the body quickly, limiting its effectiveness. VA Baltimore researchers and their colleagues resolved these limitations by developing an itaconate-based polymer that breaks down in the body to release unmodified itaconate directly inside the cells.

In a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, this microparticle approach reduced the concentration of proteins that drive inflammation and cause damage. This work opens the door for more effective ways to deliver anti-inflammatory medication in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

View the full study from the “Journal of Controlled Release.”

Sense of community enhances virtual pain management

A VA Office of Rural Health study found that a virtual chronic pain management group had an unexpected side benefit for rural Women Veterans: a sense of community.

Thirty-one Women Veterans participated in the eight-week pilot, which consisted of weekly group sessions, daily individual physical activity, individualized feedback and optional peer support between attendees outside of sessions. Nearly every participant said the program was beneficial, helping them feel they were not alone in their experiences. Participants emphasized the sense of community created by shared experiences as Women Veterans. The trained psychologists and facilitators running the program were also women.

The study not only proved virtual group programs tailored to rural Women Veterans can help bridge the gaps in chronic pain care stemming from lack of access, it also showed they can build support networks that boost mental health.

View the full study from “Psychological Services.”

Simple test could diagnose diabetic peripheral neuropathy sooner

Iowa City VA researchers developed a simple, noninvasive method to test for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

DPN is the most common complication of diabetes, but it is hard to diagnose early without invasive and subjective testing.

In a pilot of 14 participants with diabetes and DPN compared to eight who were healthy, the researchers found diabetic subjects had significantly slower blink reaction when hypertonic saline drops were applied to the eyes, as measured by an objective video-based assessment. This simple test could prove to be an easier and quicker method to test for DPN and diagnose it sooner.

View the full study from “Cornea.”

For more Office of Research and Development updates, visit ORD online or go to https://www.research.va.gov/news_briefs/.