Peripheral neuropathy in mice with neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene deficiency

  • Authors:
    • Igor Vareniuk
    • Pal Pacher
    • Ivan A. Pavlov
    • Viktor R. Drel
    • Irina G. Obrosova
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: May 1, 2009     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm_00000166
  • Pages: 571-580
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Abstract

Evidence for the important role of the potent oxidant peroxynitrite in peripheral diabetic neuropathy and neuropathic pain is emerging. This study evaluated the contribution of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) to diabetes-induced nitrosative stress in peripheral nerve and dorsal root ganglia, and peripheral nerve dysfunction and degeneration. Control and nNOS−/− mice were made diabetic with streptozotocin, and maintained for 6 weeks. Peroxynitrite injury was assessed by nitrotyrosine and poly(ADP-ribose) immunoreactivities. Peripheral diabetic neuropathy was evaluated by measurements of sciatic motor and hind-limb digital sensory nerve conduction velocities, thermal algesia, tactile allodynia, and intraepidermal nerve fiber density. Control nNOS−/− mice displayed normal motor nerve conduction velocity and thermal response latency, whereas sensory nerve conduction velocity was slightly lower compared with non-diabetic wild-type mice, and tactile response threshold and intraepidermal nerve fiber density were reduced by 47 and 38%, respectively. Both diabetic wild-type and nNOS−/− mice displayed enhanced nitrosative stress in peripheral nerve. In contrast to diabetic wild-type mice, diabetic nNOS−/− mice had near normal nitrotyrosine and poly(ADP-ribose) immunofluorescence in dorsal root ganglia. Both diabetic wild-type and nNOS−/− mice developed motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity deficits and thermal hypoalgesia although nNOS gene deficiency slightly reduced severity of the three disorders. Tactile response thresholds were similarly decreased in control and diabetic nNOS−/− mice compared with non-diabetic wild-type mice. Intraepidermal nerve fiber density was lower by 27% in diabetic nNOS−/− mice compared with the corresponding non-diabetic group, and by 20% in diabetic nNOS−/− mice compared with diabetic wild-type mice. In conclusion, nNOS is required for maintaining the normal peripheral nerve function and small sensory nerve fibre innervation. nNOS gene deficiency does not protect from development of nerve conduction deficit, sensory neuropathy and intraepidermal nerve fiber loss.

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May 2009
Volume 23 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Vareniuk I, Pacher P, Pavlov IA, Drel VR and Obrosova IG: Peripheral neuropathy in mice with neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene deficiency. Int J Mol Med 23: 571-580, 2009.
APA
Vareniuk, I., Pacher, P., Pavlov, I.A., Drel, V.R., & Obrosova, I.G. (2009). Peripheral neuropathy in mice with neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene deficiency. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 23, 571-580. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm_00000166
MLA
Vareniuk, I., Pacher, P., Pavlov, I. A., Drel, V. R., Obrosova, I. G."Peripheral neuropathy in mice with neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene deficiency". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 23.5 (2009): 571-580.
Chicago
Vareniuk, I., Pacher, P., Pavlov, I. A., Drel, V. R., Obrosova, I. G."Peripheral neuropathy in mice with neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene deficiency". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 23, no. 5 (2009): 571-580. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm_00000166