Decreased accumulation of endogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor against constricting sciatic nerve ligatures in streptozotocin-diabetic and galactose-fed rats

Anterograde and retrograde trafficking or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was examined in streptozotocin-diabetic and galactose-fed rats by m easuring accumulation of endogenous neurotrophin proximal and distal to two constricting sciatic nerve ligatures and by direct injection of radiolabel ed neurotrophin into the sciatic nerve. Compared to controls, accumulation of endogenous BDNF proximal and distal to the ligatures as well as basal le vels in non-ligated nerve segments were decreased in streptozotocin-diabeti c and galactose-fed rats. Neither streptozotocin diabetes nor galactose int oxication affected the amount of I-125-labeled BDNF retrogradely transporte d to the DRG after injection into the sciatic nerve. These results suggest that reduced anterograde and retrograde accumulations of BDNF in experiment al diabetes are not a result of impaired capacity for receptor-mediated tra nsport. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.