Effect of lacidipine pre-treatment on diabetic neuropathy in rats.

The present study was planned to evaluate the effects of lacidipine on STZ induced diabetic neuropathy. Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic neuropathy in rats was monitored by measuring blood sugar levels, motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), nociception and histopathology of tibial nerve. Forty rats were divided in to four groups of 10 each. Group I: Control (vehicle). Group II: STZ (50mg/kg, iv, single injection). Group III: Lacidipine (0.5 mg/kg, po, daily + STZ). Group IV: STZ + insulin (4 unit/kg, sc, bid). Similar protocol was used for other parameters also. Lacidipine pre-treatment failed to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetic rats but prevented deterioration of motor nerve conduction velocity as compared to STZ diabetic rats. Hyperalgesia induced by STZ was antagonized by lacidipine. Histology of nerve showed less structural damage in lacidipine pre-treated group. Thus, lacidipine prevents the development of neuropathic changes induced by STZ in rats.