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Delayed nerve regeneration in streptozotocin diabetic rats
Author(s) -
Longo F. M.,
Powell H. C.,
Lebeau J.,
Gerrero M. R.,
Heckman H.,
Myers R. R.
Publication year - 1986
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.880090502
Subject(s) - regeneration (biology) , streptozotocin , sciatic nerve , myelin , myelin sheath , medicine , diabetes mellitus , anatomy , electron microscope , endocrinology , biology , central nervous system , microbiology and biotechnology , physics , optics
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.