Vicky R. Ras

Abstract

Light touch and low-frequency vibration sense are often impaired in diabetic patients. Meissner corpuscles are distally located mechanoreceptors that respond to these stimuli. Peripheral sensory neuropathy in diabetes progresses from distal to proximal, therefore, Meissner corpuscles are ideally suited to study diabetic neuropathy in the C57BL/Ks (db/db) mouse.

Corpuscles from the forepaw digital pads of 9 diabetic and 9 nondiabetic littermates were studied by electron microscopy. These were divided into 3 age groups; 2.5 months, 10 months, and 17 months old.

Ultrastructural changes observed within various receptor components were myelin figures, multivesicular bodies, vacuoles, basal lamina duplication, abnormal and enlarged mitochondria, more abundant collagen, and organizational disarray. These changes increased with age and were seen earlier in the diabetic corpuscles.

The neural component of the Meissner corpuscle exhibits, in young, middle-aged, and elderly diabetic mice, typical degenerative changes that occur in nerves with axonal dwindling, The relationship of these changes to possible causes, progression of pathology, sensory deficits, and aging is discussed. Axonal dwindling could affect the light touch threshold and vibration perception that are impaired with diabetes mellitus.

LLU Discipline

Anatomy

Department

Anatomy

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Pedro B. Nava, Jr.

Second Advisor

Charles H. Brinegar, Jr.

Third Advisor

Darryl G. Heustis

Fourth Advisor

John W. Patrickson

Fifth Advisor

Robert L. Schultz

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

1988

Date (Title Page)

9-1988

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Blood Cells -- physiology; Diabetes Mellitus

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

v; 94

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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