Regeneration of Meissner Corpuscles in Diabetic Mice Following Median Nerve Crush

<p>The hyperglycemic metabolic condition found in diabetes mellitus leads to the development of sensory neuropathies and causes delayed and incomplete neuronal regeneration. Diabetic sensory neuropathy has been shown to contribute to the impairment of light touch and low frequency vibratory perception. It is proposed that the regeneration of receptors that detect these sensations will be delayed and incomplete in diabetic animals with uncontrolled hyperglycemia. This study addresses the effects of diabetes on the regeneration of Meissner corpuscles, distal sensory endings that perceive light touch and low frequency vibration.</p> <p>Corpuscles from 60 diabetic mice, and their age-matched, non-diabetic littermates, were examined for qualitative and quantitative changes following a median nerve cryocrush of the left forepaw. Right forepaws were used for non-crush controls. Digits II and III from both forepaws were formalin-fixed, frozen sectioned and silver-impregnated to allow for light microscopic examination of the neurites. Corpuscular concentration, innervation, complexity and neurite intraepidermal continuations along with neurite branching and caliber were compared among the non-diabetic, diabetic, non-crush and post-crush sections.</p> <p>Non-diabetic corpuscles regenerated to a characteristic, pre-crush morphology, displaying typical corpuscular concentration, innervation and neurite caliber. Diabetic corpuscles showed a significant delay in regeneration and full corpuscular innervation, complexity and caliber was not achieved by 120 days post-crush. This delayed and incomplete reinnervation seen in diabetic animals could compound the decreased perception of sensations that usually occurs in diabetes.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Anatomy

Year

1989

Author dc:creator

• Forrester, Bonnie J.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Pedro B. Nava
• Charles H. Brinegar, Jr.
• John W. Patrickson

• Anatomy
• Animal Experimentation and Research
• Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism
• Laboratory and Basic Science Research
• Neuroscience and Neurobiology
• Submucous Plexus; Diabetic Neuropathies -- rehabilitation

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/1532

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-2309