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Amelioration by the Ca 2+ antagonist, nimodipine of an existing neuropathy in the streptozotocin‐induced, diabetic rat
Author(s) -
Kappelle A.C.,
Bravenboer B.,
Buren T.,
Traber J.,
Erkelens D.W.,
Gispen W.H.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1993.tb12878.x
Subject(s) - nimodipine , streptozotocin , medicine , nerve conduction velocity , diabetic neuropathy , diabetes mellitus , endocrinology , intraperitoneal injection , sciatic nerve , antagonist , anesthesia , calcium , receptor
1 Neuropathy is a frequently diagnosed complication in diabetic patients but an effective treatment does not exist. 2 The development of neuropathy in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats was monitored by measuring the motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity in the sciatic nerve. 3 A significant decrease in sensory and motor nerve conduction velocity was apparent in young, 14‐week‐old diabetic rats as compared to non‐diabetic, age‐matched controls 4 weeks after the induction of diabetes with streptozotocin. 4 Intraperitoneal treatment with the Ca 2+ channel blocker, nimodipine, from week 4 onwards, in a dosage of 10 mg kg −1 or 20 mg kg −1 intraperitoneally per 48 h, resulted in a significant increase in sensory and motor nerve conduction velocity whereas treatment with 5 mg kg −1 intraperitoneally per 48 h was not effective. 5 One‐year‐old, adult, diabetic rats treated with nimodipine 20 mg kg −1 (treatment started again 4 weeks after induction of diabetes mellitus) also showed an increase of both sensory and motor nerve conduction velocity as compared to diabetic rats treated with placebo. 6 It is concluded that nimodipine ameliorates existing experimental diabetic neuropathy in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats in both young and adult animals.