Motor and sensory conduction in peripheral nerves of unanaesthetized streptozotocin diabetic and normal rats during ischemia
David, J.; Wagle, G.P.; Grewal, R.S.
Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 26(1): 13-22
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5499 PMID: 7106955 Document Number: 195508
Motor nerve conduction velocities (MNCV) of ventral peripheral tail nerves of unanestheticed streptozotocin diabetic rats were examined in comparison to age matched normal rats under normal and ischemic conditions. A miniature blood pressure cuff was applied to the base of the tail and was adjusted to provide complete vascular occlusion for 30 min. MNCV were recorded during ischemia and in the post-ischemic period. MNCV was markedly reduced during ischemia in normal rats but were unchanged in diabetic rats. The sensation of heat-induced pain was retained to an equal extent in normal and diabetic rats during ischemic states. The abnormal resistance to ischemia of MNCV of peripheral nerves is an early and sensitive index of nerve dysfunction and precedes showing of MNCV in diabetic rats. Initial peripheral nerve abnormalities in diabetic rats may be related to biochemical changes rather than axonopathy and may have heuristic significance for diabetic neuropathy in humans.