Delayed nerve regeneration in streptozotocin diabetic rats.
Nerve regeneration across a 10-mm gap was delayed in streptozotocin diabetic rats 3 and 4 weeks after transecting the sciatic nerve. Opposite ends of each cut nerve were introduced into a silicone tube, leaving a 10-mm gap. Electron microscopy was used to evaluate the progress of regeneration in sections at 2-mm intervals across the 10-mm gap. After 3 weeks, control axons had bridged the 10-mm gap, and myelin sheaths extended for 6-8 mm. By contrast, axons and their myelin sheaths were seen no further than 2 mm from the proximal stump in diabetic animals. By 4 weeks, axons had bridged the gap in diabetics; however, they appeared immature and showed dystrophic changes. The findings suggest that although regeneration does occur in diabetic nerves, it is significantly delayed and qualitatively impaired.
D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013311:Streptozocin
D013311:Streptozocin; D006003:Glycogen