Intraepidermal nerve fiber density in rat foot pad: neuropathologic–neurophysiologic correlation

摘要: Quantification of cutaneous innervation in rat footpad is a useful tool to investigate sensory small-diameter nerve fibers, which are affected early peripheral neuropathies. The aim this work was provide normative reference data on the density intraepidermal fibers (IENFs) and Langerhans cells hindpaw Sprague-Dawley Wistar rats. We also evaluated sensibility IENF by comparing neuropathologic findings with neurophysiologic examination presence neuropathy two well-characterized animal models neuropathy. quantified 22 rats 13 compared 19 age-matched streptozotocin-induced diabetic 30 cisplatin- or paclitaxel-induced Antidromic tail conduction velocity (SNCV) assessed all animals. cell densities were constant healthy at any age, they similar those observed In neuropathic rats, both SNCV significantly reduced respect controls. correlated changes velocity. Diabetic alone showed higher Our study demonstrated that quantification correlates suggests might represent outcome measurement experimental