Effect of vasodilator PGE1 on sciatic nerve function, VEGF level, vascular permeability and peripheral nerve in type 2 diabetic rats

Purpose: To investigate the effect of vasodilator prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on sciatic nerve function, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular permeability and peripheral nerve in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. Methods: Twenty-one rats in the study group were intraperitoneally injected with PGE1, while rats in T2DM untreated group (n = 21) were injected with an equivalent amount of normal saline. Seven rats were randomly selected from the study and the control groups every seven days for 21 days for determination of changes in sciatic nerve function, VEGF level, vascular permeability and peripheral nerves. Results: Sciatic nerve motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) was significantly higher in the study group than in T2DM untreated control group at the three time-points post-treatment (p < 0.01). The level of VEGF in the study group decreased, relative to the T2DM untreated control group on the 7th 14th and 21st days post-treatment (p < 0.05) while the water content of sciatic nerve tissue in study group was markedly decreased, relative to control value on day 21 (p < 0.05). Rats in the study group showed decreased TTT, relative to those in T2DM untreated group on days 7, 14 and 21 post-treatment (p < 0.01). Conclusion: PGE1 improves the sciatic nerve function of T2DM rats, reduces the level of serum VEGF and vascular permeability, and protects peripheral nerves. These findings provide a basis for the development of new T2DM drugs.