Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the effect of vasodilator prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on sciatic nerve function, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular permeability and peripheral nerve in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats.
 Methods: Twenty-one rats in the study group were intraperitoneally injected with PGE1, while rats in T2DM untreated group (n = 21) were injected with an equivalent amount of normal saline. Seven rats were randomly selected from the study and the control groups every seven days for 21 days for determination of changes in sciatic nerve function, VEGF level, vascular permeability and peripheral nerves.
 Results: Sciatic nerve motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) was significantly higher in the study group than in T2DM untreated control group at the three time-points post-treatment (p < 0.01). The level of VEGF in the study group decreased, relative to the T2DM untreated control group on the 7th 14th and 21st days post- treatment (p < 0.05) while the water content of sciatic nerve tissue in study group was markedly decreased, relative to control value on day 21 (p < 0.05). Rats in the study group showed decreased TTT, relative to those in T2DM untreated group on days 7, 14 and 21 post-treatment (p < 0.01).
 Conclusion: PGE1 improves the sciatic nerve function of T2DM rats, reduces the level of serum VEGF and vascular permeability, and protects peripheral nerves. These findings provide a basis for the development of new T2DM drugs
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease which manifests in fasting hyperglycemia due to deficiency in insulin production or insulin insensitivity
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on sciatic nerve function, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level, vascular permeability and peripheral nerve in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats
Seven rats were randomly selected from the study group and the untreated T2DM control group every seven days, i.e., on the 7th, 14th and 21st days post-treatment, for the determination of changes in sciatic nerve function, VEGF level, vascular permeability and peripheral nerves
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease which manifests in fasting hyperglycemia due to deficiency in insulin production or insulin insensitivity. With economic development, aging population and changes in people’s living standards, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), a bioactive substance widely present in vivo, inhibits platelet agglutination, reduces platelet hyperactivity and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) level, and inhibits platelet activation [6]. It reduces free Ca2+ levels in vascular smooth myocytes, blocks norepinephrine release from vascular sympathetic nerve terminals, and enhances relaxation of vascular smooth muscles, thereby improving microcirculation and the speed of nerve conduction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PGE1 on sciatic nerve function, VEGF level, vascular permeability and peripheral nerve in T2DM rats.
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