LOW CONTENTS OF NERVE GROWTH-FACTOR IN SERUM AND SUBMAXILLARY-GLAND OF DIABETIC MICE - A POSSIBLE ETIOLOGIC ELEMENT OF DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

Insulin and nerve growth factor are peptides that share several chemic al and functional properties. While the total or relative deficiency o f insulin causes diabetes, the possible disorders due to deficiency of nerve growth factor have not been clearly defined. However, the inten se biological actions of nerve growth factor in the maintenance and gr owth of several neural cells make feasible its participation in the ph ysiopathology of some diseases of the peripheral nervous system. We me asured the contents of nerve growth factor in serum, submaxillary glan d and sciatic nerve of mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Nerv e growth factor in diabetic mice was diminished in serum and submaxill ary gland when compared with matched controls (P<0.01). This finding f urther supports a similar observation in diabetic patients and suggest s a possible etiological involvement of neural growth factor in the de velopment of diabetic neuropathy.