Electrophysiological study of dorsal column function in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats: comparison with 2,5-hexanedione intoxication.

Dorsal column function and peripheral motor and sensory conduction velocities (MCV, SCV) were evaluated in experimental diabetic rats and compared with those in 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) intoxicated rats. Hyperglycemia was induced by a single injection of streptozocin, and electrophysiological studies were performed 4 and 12 weeks after the injection. For 8 weeks 2,5-HD was administered daily by drinking water to make the 2,5-HD neuropathy rats. Age-matched rats were used as control. In diabetic rats, gracile surface potentials evoked by electrical stimulation of the lumbosacral trunk remained normal during the experimental period, whereas the N and P waves of the evoked potentials were suppressed and the duration of the N wave was prolonged in the 2,5-HD rats. In 4-week diabetic rats, the antidromic compound action potentials of the gracile tract recorded at the most proximal site of lumbosacral trunk were normal. In 12-week diabetic rats, the gracile tract conduction velocity (GTCV) was decreased, although the duration of these potentials was normal. By contrast, the GTCV was decreased and the duration was markedly prolonged in 2,5-HD rats. These findings might indicate that temporal dispersion of incoming volleys in the gracile tract is increased in 2,5-HD rats, but not in diabetic rats. These results suggest that diabetic myelopathy exists that but the magnitude and progression of this condition are quite different from those of 2,5-HD intoxication, typical dying-back-type neuropathy and that the dorsal column is less vulnerable than the peripheral nerve in diabetes mellitus.