Chronic experimental diabetes mellitus; quantitative changes in dorsal root ganglion cells

ABSTRACT

Background: multiple factors operate in the development of diabetic neuropathy. Sensory neurons are not protected by blood-brain or blood-nerve barrier; also the dorsal root ganglion cells [DRG] have a higher metabolic requirement than the nerve trunks. Oxygen level at the dorsal root ganglions also appears to be lower. All these physiological characteristics suggest that DRG may be particularly susceptible to damage in prolonged diabetic conditions