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Experimental model of alcohol‐related peripheral neuropathy
Author(s) -
Mellion Michelle L.,
Nguyen VanAnh,
Tong Ming,
Gilchrist James,
Monte Suzanne
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.23744
Subject(s) - sciatic nerve , peripheral , medicine , peripheral neuropathy , denervation , nerve conduction velocity , ethanol , anatomy , alcohol , peripheral nervous system , polyneuropathy , pathology , endocrinology , chemistry , central nervous system , biochemistry , diabetes mellitus
ABSTRACT Introduction The aim of this work was to determine the effect of chronic alcohol exposure on peripheral nerves in a nutritionally balanced rat model of alcoholism. Methods Three different strains of adult male rats were pair‐fed for 8 weeks with isocaloric liquid diets containing 0% or 37% ethanol. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) were performed. Peripheral nerve and muscle were examined histologically with morphometrics. Results Ethanol exposure significantly slowed velocity in tibial and fibular nerves, but not in the plantar nerve in all 3 strains. Studies of the sciatic nerve revealed decreased fiber diameters and increased regenerative sprouts in peripheral nerves. There was muscle denervation of ethanol‐exposed rats in all 3 strains. Conclusions Chronic ethanol exposure caused a polyneuropathy characterized by axonal degeneration despite adequate nutrition. These results suggest that ethanol exposure has direct neurotoxic effects on peripheral nerves. This model may be useful in understanding the underlying mechanism(s) of alcohol‐related peripheral neuropathy. Muscle Nerve , 48: 204–211, 2013