PATHOMORPHOLOGY OF MYELINATED NERVES IN DIABETIC POLYNEUROPATHY

Abstract

The article provides information on the structural features of myelinated nerve fibers in the lower extremities of patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. Myelinated nerves in the calf and foot regions of 10 diabetic patients who had undergone amputation were examined using histological, histochemical, and electron-microscopic methods. The control group consisted of the autopsy materials of 5 human corpses, who died as a result of a random accident. For histological examination, tissue samples were fixed in 12% formalin and processed using the Bilshovski-Gross and Rasskazova methods. Adrenergic structures were revealed by incubating tissue sections in a 2% glyoxylic acid solution. During electron-microscopic examination, tissue samples fixed in a 2% glutaraldehyde solution were transferred to a uranyl acetate solution, contrasted with lead citrate, and studied using a UEMB-100 electron microscope. It was found that he most prominent structural changes during diabetic polyneuropathy occur in large-myelinated nerve fibers. Severe atrophy of axons is accompanied by intense edema of the myelin sheath. It was also discovered that during diabetic polyneuropathy, the involvement of catecholamines in lower peripheral nerves is reduced.