Abstract
This study examined the effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus and aldose reductase inhibitor (ZD5522) treatment on myelinated fiber regeneration in rats. After 2 months of diabetes, with or without ZD5522 treatment (10 mg · kg −1 · day −1) from induction, sciatic nerve degeneration was initiated by a punctate lesion using a liquid NZ 2 cooled probe. Regeneration was studied over a subsequent 14-day period using in vitro electrophysiological techniques. There was a 21.4% ( P < 0.001) deficit in the maximum fiber regeneration distance in diabetic rats, 14 days postlesion. This was partially (64.9%, P < 0.01) prevented by aldose reductase inhibitor treatment, the resultant regeneration distance being not significantly different from that of age-matched nondiabetic control rats. The regeneration rate, assessed from data collected 4, 9 and 14 days postlesion, was 23.7% ( P < 0.001) reduced by diabetes and ZD5522 treatment provided 73.1% protection ( P < 0.01). We conclude that polyol pathway activity is involved in impaired regeneration in experimental diabetes, potential pathophysiological mechanisms involving a reduction in neurotrophic support and impaired endoneurial blood supply.
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