Abstract
Summary
Background:
The diabetic neuropathies are characterized by axonal degeneration of peripheral nerves. The commonest variant of this condition is distal symmetrical polyneuropathy, in which the principal presenting features can be explained by impaired neurotrophic support of sensory neurones.
Aims
: The aims of these experiments were to determine whether deficits in nerve growth factor (NGF) content and the products of its target genes (substance P and calcitonin‐gene related peptide; CGRP) in the sciatic nerve of streptozotocin‐induced rats could be prevented using clenbuterol, which has been demonstrated to induce NGF synthesis
in vitro
.
Results
: Diabetes of 8 weeks duration produced a reduction in measurable sciatic nerve NGF‐like immunoreactivity (NGF‐LI) content of 53% (p
Conclusion
: Clenbuterol could be a useful tool in alleviating the deficits in neurotrophin support in diabetes.