title: Diabetic mice show an aggravated course of herpes-simplex virus-induced facial nerve paralysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Bell's palsy is highly associated with diabetes mellitus.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The cause of Bell's palsy in diabetes mellitus is not completely understood. Diabetic mononeuropathy or reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) may be responsible for the facial paralysis seen in diabetic patients. We previously reported transient and ipsilateral facial paralysis in mice inoculated with HSV-1. In this study, we examined the neuropathogenesis of HSV-1 in diabetic mice to clarify the relationship between Bell's palsy and diabetes mellitus.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared the incidence and course of facial paralysis after HSV-1 inoculation in diabetic and nondiabetic mice groups. Diabetic mice were prepared by intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection. Facial nerve damage was assessed by electrophysiologic and histopathologic examinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the nondiabetic group, the incidence of facial nerve paralysis was significantly increased in the diabetic mice. Electrophysiologic examinations and histopathologic changes also revealed that the facial nerve damage was more severe in the diabetic group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The aggravated course of HSV-1 infection in diabetes suggests that HSV-1 may be the main causative factor for the increased incidence of facial paralysis in diabetic patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences and Medical School, Okazaki, Japan. sesaki@med.nagoya-cu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Esaki
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamano
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kiguchi
authors.forename: Sachiyo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katsumi
authors.forename: Sumru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Keceli
authors.forename: Hideyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Okamoto
authors.forename: Fumi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Goshima
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Yukihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nishiyama
authors.forename: Shingo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murakami
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000473:pathology; D004576:Electromyography; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D005155:Facial Nerve Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000473:pathology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D014738:Vibrissae / Q000502:physiology