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Reduced Ia‐afferent‐mediated Hoffman reflex in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats
Author(s) -
Tonra JR,
Cliffer KD,
Carson SR,
Lindsay RM,
Bodine SC,
DiStefano PS
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of the peripheral nervous system
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1529-8027
pISSN - 1085-9489
DOI - 10.1046/j.1529-8027.2002.02011_3.x
Subject(s) - nerve conduction velocity , streptozotocin , reflex , medicine , stimulation , electrophysiology , diabetes mellitus , f wave , compound muscle action potential , endocrinology
In addition to reduced nerve conduction velocity, diabetic neuropathic patients often exhibit a reduction in the amplitude of the compound muscle action potential elicited by stimulation of the la‐afferent‐mediated reflex pathway (Hoffman or H wave) that can contribute to diminished or absent tendon reflexes. In contrast to nerve conduction velocity deficits, changes in H‐wave amplitudes have not been reproduced in diabetic animal models. Using electrophysiological techniques developed for repeated recordings in individual animals, we report H‐wave deficits in streptozotocin (STZ)‐treated insulin‐dependent diabetic rats. After 4 weeks of diabetes induced by STZ treatment, a 47% reduction in the H‐wave amplitude was demonstrated by recording compound muscle action potentials in foot muscles after stimulation of la afferents. Interestingly, we also demonstrate that the H‐wave amplitude gradually recovers to a 26% deficit after 12 weeks of experimental diabetes. The recovery of the H wave in STZ‐treated rats distinguishes this deficit mechanistically from other STZ‐induced electrophysiological changes and may model a similar recovery of the H wave reported in diabetic patients.