TNF and neuropathy: The current study also showed a significant negative correlation between the Michigan neuropathy screening instrument and glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.001, r = − 0.450) while a positive correlation between Michigan neuropathy screening instrument and tumor necrosis factor (P = 0.048, r = 0.266), indicating the impact of halting inflammation and oxidative stress on improving the patients’ overall neuropathy severity.