Scientists in the UK and overseas have improved their understanding of a distressing side-effect of diabetes, called painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN).
The condition affects about 50 per cent of people with diabetes and is characterised by increased pain and sensitivity to temperature extremes.
Now, scientists have discovered that a compound called methylglyoxal (MG) - which is produced excessively from glucose in people with diabetes - plays a vital role in this type of pain.
Professor Paul Thornalley, from the University of Warwick, revealed that MG 'appears to attack and modify a key protein in the nerve endings called Nav 1.8, causing nerves to become super-sensitive to pain and extremes of temperature'.
He added that the research, which is published in the journal Nature Medicine, indicates it may be possible to use small peptide molecules to clear up this problematic compound, thereby providing a new treatment to reduce diabetic patients' pain.
NHS figures suggest that approximately 2.8 million people in the UK are affected by diabetes, with more than one million thought to be unaware they have the disease.