Effects of Shen Mai Huo Xue Yin on the sorbitol concentration of erythrocyte and sciatic nerve and on the nerve function in diabetic rats / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the relationship between the nerve function and the sorbitol concentrations of erythrocyte and sciatic nerve, and to evaluate the effects and mechanism of a formulae of Chinese medicine, Shen Mai Huo Xue Yin (a decoction, it ingredients including ginseng, tuber of dwarf lilyturf and safflower) on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods The rats were divided into 3 groups normal rats, diabetic rats and diabetic rats treated with Shen Mai Huo Xue Yin. The diabetes of rats was induced by streptozotocin intraperitoneally. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) of sciatic, sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) of caudal nerve and the H reflex were detected with evoked electromyogram; The sorbitol concentrations of erythrocyte and sciatic nerve was measured by spectrophotography. Results The sorbitol concentration of erythrocyte was positively correlated with that in the sciatic nerve, and the sorbitol concentration of erythocyte and sciatic nerve were negatively correlated with SNCV and positively with H reflex. The SNCV reduced significantly and the sorbitol concentration of both erythrocyte and sciatic nerve increased significantly in diabetic group as compared with those in normal group. The SNCV and sorbitol concentrations of sorbitol both erythrocyte and sciatic nerve in diabetic group were significantly improved after treated with Shen Mai Huo Xue Yin. Conclusion The sorbitol concentration in erythrocyte reflects the level of that in sciatic nerve and the lesion degrees of DPN. Shen Mai Huo Xue Yin alleviates the lesion of DPN in the early stage.