Fish Oil Supplementation Prevents Diabetes-Induced Nerve Conduction Velocity and Neuroanatomical Changes in Rats

Manuscript received 20 February 1998. Initial reviews completed 7 April 1998. Revision accepted 11 August 1998.

Alain Gerbi^{*, ,} , Jean-Michel Maixent, Jean-Luc Ansaldi^**, Michele Pierlovisi^*, Thierry Coste^*, Jean-Francois Pelissier, Philippe Vague^*, and Denis Raccah^*

^* Diabetology Department, CHU Timone, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5, France,  Cardiology Department, School of Medicine, I.F.R. Jean Roche, Bd Pierre Dramard 13015 Marseille, France, ^** Electron Microscopic Department, CHU Timone, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5, France and  Neuropathology Department, School of Medicine, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5, France

Diabetic neuropathy has been associated with a decrease in nerve conduction velocity, Na,K-ATPase activity and characteristic histological damage of the sciatic nerve. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effect of a dietary supplementation with fish oil [(n-3) fatty acids] on the sciatic nerve of diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by intravenous streptozotocin injection. Diabetic animals (n = 20) were fed a nonpurified diet supplemented with either olive oil (DO) or fish oil (DM), and control animals (n = 10) were fed a nonpurified diet supplemented with olive oil at a daily dose of 0.5 g/kg by gavage for 8 wk. Nerves were characterized by their conduction velocity, morphometric analysis and membrane Na,K-ATPase activity. Nerve conduction velocity, as well as Na,K-ATPase activity, was improved by fish oil treatment. A correlation was found between these two variables (R = 0.999, P < 0.05). Moreover, a preventive effect of fish oil was observed on nerve histological damage [endoneurial edema, axonal degeneration (by 10-15%) with demyelination]. Moreover, the normal bimodal distribution of the internal diameter of myelinated fibers was absent in the DO group and was restored in the DM group. These data suggest that fish oil therapy may be effective in the prevention of diabetic neuropathy.

The Journal of Nutrition Vol. 129 No. 1 January 1999, pp. 207-213
Copyright ©1999 by the American Society for Nutritional Sciences

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