Effect of Jinmaitong on Oxidative Stress in Dorsal Root Ganglion of Diabetic Rats

  Objective  To investigate the influence of Chinese compound formula Jinmaitong on the Nissl's staining of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of diabetic rats and on the expressions of NADPH oxidase and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS).

  Methods  Dabetic rat models were induced after the intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) to 70 male Sprague Dawley rats. These rats were then divided into five groups (n=14):model group (placebo), Jinmaitong high-dose group (20-fold dose recommended for human), Jinmaitong middle-dose group (10-fold dose recommended for human), Jinmaitong low-dose group (5-fold dose recommened for human), and vitamin C group (10-fold dose recommened for human). Meanwhile, 10 rats without STZ intervention were set as normal group. Drugs (or placebo) were intragastically administered once per day. Sixteen weeks later, DRG tissues were isolated for Nissl's staining as well as immunohistochemistry staining to detect the expressions of NADPH oxidase p22^phox and iNOS.

  Results  Nissl's bodies depleted obviously in model group. In Jinmaitong high-dose and middle-dose groups, the morphologic abnormality of Nissl's bodies was slight. Compared to model group, the expression of NADPH p22 phox and iNOS in all Jinmaitong groups reduced significantly (P < 0.05).

  Conclusions  The study gives evidence that oxidative stress exists in peripheral sensory nerve ganglion of diabetic rats. Jinmaitong can counteract oxidative stress and protect neurons.