The Effect of Glucose on the Response of Peripheral Nerve to Anoxia (P1.068)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Elucidate the effects of glucose concentration on peripheral nerve during anoxia in an in-vitro system. BACKGROUND: : There is evidence that certain neuropathies such as critical illness polyneuropathy are worsened by hyperglycemia. In addition there is evidence that diabetic neuropathy may in part be related to the effects of anoxia. Studying the effects of glucose on peripheral nerve is much simpler in an in-vitro system where glucose can be well controlled than in an in-vivo system. DESIGN/METHODS: The acute effects of glucose concentration on the nerve action potential (NAP) were investigated for concentrations between 0mmol/l and 55.5mmol/l in an in-vitro system using rat sciatic nerve. The effects of glucose were investigated both in nerves exposed to oxygenated perfusate and those subjected to intermittent anoxia. Multiple aspects of the NAP were analyzed including amplitude, area under the curve, duration, velocity and paired pulse response. RESULTS: The amplitude of the NAP remained stable throughout an entire 12 hour experiment for glucose concentrations in the range 2.8-5.6 mmol/l but when the glucose concentration was lower than 2.8 mmol/l or greater than 27.8 mmol/l, the amplitude of the NAP declined. The deleterious effects of hyperglycemia (>=27.8mmol/l) or hypoglycemia (<4.2mmol/l) were more pronounced in nerves exposed to intermittent anoxia. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms in an in-vitro model, the importance of glucose concentration for nerve function especially under periods of anoxia. Study Supported by: Winthrop University Hospital

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