Orthograde and retrograde axonal transport of dopamine-β-hydroxylase in ileal mesenteric nerves of rats with chronic streptozotocin diabetes

Rats with chronic streptozotocin-induced diabetes develop a neuropathy involving the ileal mesenteric nerves. Distal portions of these postganglionic sympathetic axons develop markedly dilated, dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH)-containing dystrophic swellings. These findings led us to develop a quantitative method to examine orthograde and retrograde axonal transport of DBH in ileal mesenteric nerves. Surprisingly, no significant alteration in orthograde or retrograde axonal transport of DBH was identified.