Diagnostic Tool for Diabetic Neuropathy: Investigation of Mitochondrial Dynamics of Intraepidermal Nerve Fibers in Diabetic Mice
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Authors
Robell, Nicholas J.
Issue Date
2010
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes involving the length
dependent degeneration of sensory nerves in the body resulting in sensory loss. The
underlying hyperglycemia associated with diabetes can cause changes in mitochondrial
dynamics in dorsal root ganglia cells prior to neuronal death. It is hypothesized that the
clumping of mitochondria may precede the development of diabetic neuropathy.
Currently, no tool is available to measure mitochondrial dynamics in sensory nerves. The
goal of this study was to develop a diagnostic tool to measure mitochondrial dynamics in
intraepidermal nerves and assess the progression of diabetic neuropathy. A mouse model
of Type 2 diabetes was used to study changes in mitochondrial dynamics within sensory
nerves during the progression of diabetes and diabetic neuropathy. Three-dimensional
images of fluorescently tagged markers for nerve and mitochondria were generated using
confocal microscopy. A protocol was developed to analyze and quantify mitochondria
dynamics with 3D analysis software. These mitochondrial dynamic data suggest that
mitochondria clumps occur in sensory nerves prior to the development of diabetic
neuropathy. The mitochondrial clumping may present a significant event in diabetic
neuropathy and may provide a useful biomarker for the disease. The protocol developed
in this experiment can be implemented in future studies of mitochondrial dynamics as
well. This tool would be applicable to other models of diabetic neuropathy and after
refining may provide a clinical measure for early detection of diabetic neuropathy.
Description
iv, 35 p.
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo College
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder.