Abstract
Morphometric analysis of axons from the ventral division of the vagus nerve of ketonuric diabetic Chinese hamsters and age-sex matched non-diabetic controls was performed to determine the frequency distribution and numerical and volume density. Myelinated fibres of diabetics displayed a significant reduction in diameter ( P<0·001) compared with controls, which was correlated inversely with progressive ketonuria ( P<0·05). The reduced calibre of myelinated fibres was the result of thin myelin sheaths rather than a reduction in axon diameter. A marked decrease in numerical density ( P<0·05) and volume density ( P<0·005) was found in the myelinated fibres of diabetics compared with controls. Non-myelinated axons showed a significant shift to smaller diameter ( P<0·001) in diabetics, which was correlated inversely with duration of ketonuria ( P<0·05). Numerical density of non-myelinated axons was increased ( P<0·01) in diabetic hamsters whereas volume density was comparable in diabetic and control animals. These data provide morphological evidence of impairment in the parasympathetic nervous system which may be a major factor underlying previously reported gastrointestinal and pancreatic islet dysfunction in the diabetic Chinese hamster.
Published Version
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