Sensory nerve conduction in the caudal nerves of rats with diabetes

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate sensory nerve conduction of the caudal nerve in normal and diabetic rats. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in twenty 8-weeks old Wistar male rats. Twenty normal rats served as controls. Caudal nerve conduction studies were made before diabetes induction and the end of each week for six consecutive weeks. The caudal nerve was stimulated distally and nerve potentials were recorded proximally on the animal's tail using common "alligator" clips as surface electrodes. RESULTS: After induction, nerve conduction velocities (NCV) increased slower in the diabetic than in the control group. Sensory nerve action potentials (SNAP) conduction velocities increased slower in the diabetic than in the control group (slope of regression line: 0.5 vs 1.3m/s per week; NCV in the 15th week = 39±3m/s vs 44±4m/s). Tukey's tests showed differences between groups at the 11th, 13th and 15th weeks old. From the 10th week on, SNAP amplitudes increased faster in the diabetic than in the control group (slopes of the regression line: 10 vs 8µV per week; SNAP amplitudes in the 15th week: 107±23µV vs 85±13µV). Differences at the 12th, 13th and 15th weeks were significant. CONCLUSION: In diabetic rats nerve conduction velocities were slower whereas amplitudes were larger than in normal rats.

Morpho-Functional Characterisation of the Rat Ventral Caudal Nerve in a Model of Axonal Peripheral Neuropathy

“…We provide the measurement of the SNAP amplitude and not just the SCV. Accordingly, we also expanded on the previous observations of Schaumburg et al [ 4 ] who applied limited neurophysiological testing, also lacking SNAP amplitude calculation, a pitfall in common with some other previously published works [ 14 , 15 ]. This methodological aspect is highly relevant since SNAP amplitude is the crucial parameter to detect axonal damage because it mirrors the number of fibers that constitute the nerve and are functionally active [ 16 ].…”

Effects of Crude Oil contaminated Water on the reproductive system of Female Wistar Rats

“…The rats were administered intraperitoneally with 0.2ml/100g of Ketamine HCl. (de Carvalho et al, 2011) and were monitored for signs of surgical anaesthesia before sacrifice.…”

Limber tail syndrome in a Labrador Retriever with confirmed hypothyroidism

“…Diseases of endocrine etiology have already been proven to cause polyneuromyopathies, for example, diabetes mellitus in rats effectively causes nerve conduction impairment of the tail, possibly due to demyelination and axonal degeneration. 6 In hypothyroidism patients, clinical signs of polyneuropathies with cranial nerve involvement are described, but limb impairment is more frequent, with classical neuromuscular signs. 7,8 No specific tail flaccidity or any pudendal nerve lesion is mentioned for these patients.…”