Effects of lisinopril on streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy in rats

Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic neuropathy in rats was monitored by m easuring the motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and histopathology of t he tibial nerve. Pretreatment with lisinopril (2 mg/kg p.o., 5 days prior t o STZ and continued for 10 weeks) significantly (p < 0.01) prevented deteri oration of MNCV ms compared to STZ-diabetic animals. Nerve sections from th e lisinopril pretreated group revealed less structural damage as compared t o STZ-diabetic rats. However lisinopril haul no effect on blood sugar i.e., it did not alter the diabetic state. It is concluded that lisinopril preve nts the development of experimental diabetic neuropathy in STZ-induced diab etic rats. (C) 2001 Prous Science. All rights reserved.