Disorders of Transmission via a Peripheral Nerve Related to Experimental Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Rats: Possibilities for Pharmacological Correction

Abstract

We measured the conduction velocity (CV) of an excitation volley via the caudal nerve in intact rats and rats with streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetic polyneuropathy (ED PNP). We also tested the influence of four pharmacological agents (lipoic acid, NG-nitro-L-arginine, alprostan, and pentoxifylline) on the CV via the above nerve under conditions of ED PNP. We found that the development of ED PNP in rats was accompanied by a considerable drop in the CV (to 50–40% of that in the control). Introduction of the above pharmacological agents exerted noticeable normalizing effects on the parameter under study; these effects were observed from the second week of treatment and lasted up to the end of the tests. Considering the mechanisms governing the effects of the above drugs, we discuss the role of disturbances in the systems of endogenous nitric oxide and prostaglandins in the development of experimental diabetes and ED PNP.