The role of nerve inflammation and exogenous iron load in experimental peripheral diabetic neuropathy (PDN)

Iron is an essential but potentially toxic metal in mammals. Here we investigated a pathogenic role of exogenous iron in peripheral diabetic neuropathy (PDN) in an animal model for type 1 diabetes. Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in 4-months-old Sprague-Dawley rats. STZ-diabetic rats and non-diabetic rats were fed with high, standard, or low iron diet. After three months of feeding, animals were tested. STZ-rats on standard iron diet showed overt diabetes, slowed motor nerve conduction, marked degeneration of distal intraepidermal nerve fibers, mild intraneural infiltration wit…