In Vivo Effect of Methylcobalamin on the Peripheral Nerve Structure in Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats

Summary

To study in vivo effect of methylcobalamin (CH₃-B₁₂) on the peripheral nerve structures, rats with experimental diabetes induced by Streptozotocin were administered with daily intramuscular injection of CH₃-B₁₂ (500 μg/kg) for 16 weeks. By isolated nerve fiber studies, CH₃-B₁₂-treated diabetic rats showed less incidence of paranodal demyelination as an early sign of segmental demyelination than non-treated diabetic rats. From morphometrical analysis on sural nerves, the reduction in the density of myelinated nerve fibers, nerve fiber size and axon size of myelinated fibers was definitely protected in treated diabetic rats. The results suggested that continuous treatment with CH₃-B₁₂ had an ameliorative effect on the peripheral nerve lesions in experimental diabetic neuropathy.

Key-Words:

Methylcobalamin - Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats - Peripheral Neuropathy - Morphometry - Nerve Structure