Preliminary study of high frequency ultrasound in sciatic nerve of rat with diabetic neuropathy

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the value of high frequency ultrasound in sciatic nerve of rat with diabetic neuropathy.Methods Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups:Diabetic animals were induced by intravenous injection of streptozotocin after high fat feed for 1 month,after which rats were grouped as 3-month (n =12) and 5-month (n =20) diabetes.Control group were received the streptozotocin vehicle and were classified as 3-month group (n =8) and 5-month group (n =10).Ultrasounic study of cross sectional area (CSA) and pathologic study including number and area of nerve fiber were performed at 3 and 5 months according to the disigned.Results The CSA,number and area of nerve fiber in 5 month diabetes were significantly reduced than 5-month control group (t =5.121,P ＜ 0.05; t =7.113,P ＜0.05; t =6.328,P ＜0.05).The CSA were statistically with the number and area of nerve fiber in 5 month diabetic group (r =0.732,P ＜0.05 ; r =0.715,P ＜0.05).However,the CSA had no significant correlation with the number and area of nerve fiber between 3-month diabetes and control group (P ＞0.05).Conclusions The CSA of sciatic nerve can evaluate the diabetic neuropathy of rat,which might be regarded as a potential index in diagnose of diabetic neuropathy. Key words: Ultrasonography; Peripheral neuropathy; Diabetic mellitus; Sciatic nerve; Rat