Effect of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells on peripheral neuropathy of diabetic rats

Abstract

Objective To explore whether endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs)exerts therapeutic effects on rats with diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN). Methods Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin. Male SD rats were divided into normal control group(NC group), diabetic peripheral neuropathy group(DPN group), DPN+ saline group(DPN+ S group), and DPN+ EPCs group. Sciatic nerve motor nerve conduction velocity(MNCV)was measured by a electromyography and trigger potentiometer instrument. Pathological changes were observed under optical microscope and electron microscope. Results Compared with normal control group[(52.91±4.53)m/s], both DPN group and DPN+ S group had slower sciatic nerve MNCV[(36.51±6.30 and 25.37±5.48)m/s, P<0.01]. Compared with DPN group, the MNCV of sciatic nerve in DPN+ EPCs group had improved significantly[(36.51±6.30 vs 46.20±11.70)m/s, P<0.01]. Sciatic nerve pathological changes, characterized by demyelination and axonal degeneration under light microscope and electron microscope were observed in DPN group, DPN+ EPCs group, and DPN+ S group. Compared with DPN+ S group, the sciatic nerve pathological changes of DPN+ EPCs group were alleviated. Conclusion After fed for 12 weeks, diabetic rats could progress to DPN rats. Transplantation of EPCs could improve MNCV, demyelination and axonal degeneration changes of sciatic nerver of the DPN rats. (Chin J Endocrinol Metab, 2015, 31: 982-987) Key words: Endothelial progenitor cells; Diabetic rats; Peripheral neuropathy