Wld S protects against peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy in an experimental model of diabetes in mice

Abstract

Aims/hypothesis We aimed to evaluate the effect of the mutant Wld S (slow Wallerian degeneration; also known as Wld) gene in experimental diabetes on early experimental peripheral diabetic neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy. Methods The experiments were performed in four groups of mice: wild-type (WT), streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic WT, C57BL/Wld S and STZ-induced diabetic C57BL/Wld S. In each group, intraperitoneal glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed; blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin and serum insulin were monitored. These mice were also subjected to the following behavioural tests: grasping test, hot-plate test and von Frey aesthesiometer test. For some animals, sciatic-tibial motor nerve conduction velocity, tail sensory nerve conduction velocity and eye pattern electroretinogram were measured. At the end of the experiments, islets were isolated to detect glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, ATP content and extent of apoptosis. The NAD/NADH ratio in islets and retinas was evaluated. Surviving retinal ganglion cells were estimated by immunohistochemistry. Results We found that the Wld S gene is expressed in islets and protects beta cells against multiple low doses of STZ by increasing the NAD/NADH ratio, maintaining the ATP concentration, and reducing apoptosis. Consistently, significantly higher insulin concentrations, lower blood glucose concentrations, and better glucose tolerance were observed in Wld S mice compared with WT mice after STZ treatment. Furthermore, Wld S alleviated abnormal sensory responses, nerve conduction, retina dysfunction and reduction of surviving retinal ganglion cells in STZinduced diabetic models. Conclusions/interpretation We provide the first evidence that expression of the Wld S gene decreases beta cell destruction and preserves islet function in STZ-induced diabetes, thus revealing a novel protective strategy for diabetic models. © Springer-Verlag 2011.