Diabetologia
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Recent data suggests that reduced nerve blood flow is implicated in the aetiology of experimental diabetic neuropathy, which may be prevented by manipulations that reduce receptor-mediated vasoconstrictor activity. This investigation examines the effects of nifedipine, a voltage-sensitive calcium channel antagonist which has a direct vasodilatory effect on vessels, on nerve conduction, hypoxic resistance and capillary density in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Treated and non-treated non-diabetic and diabetic groups were employed. ⋯ This was not significantly affected by nifedipine treatment. Experimental diabetes or nifedipine treatment did not significantly alter sciatic nerve endoneurial capillary density. We conclude that nifedipine, a vasodilator which acts directly on vascular smooth muscle, prevents nerve conduction deficits in experimental diabetes.