Characterizing neuropathy in the sciatic nerve of a poly I:C - induced rat model of type I diabetes

As part of a larger study to investigate the complications of diabetes, this study was aimed at developing the materials and methods for measuring nerve conduction velocity in the rat sciatic nerve. Using a specially designed nerve conduction velocity chamber, we measured action potential waveforms in an ex vivo sciatic nerve preparation at two locations along the nerve following upstream electrical stimulation. Conduction velocity in a non-diabetic control rat was 39 /spl plusmn/ 5 m/s and decreased by 88% following mechanical crushing of the nerve. With an operational ex vivo nerve conduction velocity chamber, we will apply it to the measurement of nerve conduction velocity in a poly I:C - induced rat model of type 1 diabetes.