NUMBER AND SIZE OF MYENTERIC NEURONS OF THE DUODENUM OF ADULT RATS WITH ACUTE DIABETES

ABSTRACT- This study had as its purpose to assess the effects of acute diabetes induced by streptozotocin (35 mg/kg body weight) on the number and size of the myenteric neurons of the duodenum of adult rats considering equally the antimesenteric and intermediate regions of the intestinal circumference. Experimental period extended for a week. Neuronal counts were carried out on the same number of fields of both regions of the duodenal circumference and measurements of neuronal and nuclear areas on equal numbers of cells. Number and size of the myenteric neurons stained with Giemsa were not significantly different between groups. On the other hand, the proportion of NADH-positive neurons increased from 18.54 % on the controls to 39.33 % on the diabetics. The authors discuss that this increased reactivity probably results from a greater NADH/NAD+ ratio, described in many tissues of diabetic animals, which has consequences on the modulation of the enzymes that use these cofactors and whose activity is detected by the NADH-diaphorase technique. KEY WORDS: duodenum, myenteric neurons, acute diabetes, NADH-diaphorase. Número e tamanho dos neurônios mientéricos do duodeno de ratos adultos com diabetes agudo RESUMO- Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do diabetes agudo induzido por estreptozootocina (35 mg/kg de peso corporal) sobre o número e tamanho dos neurônios mientéricos do duodeno de ratos adultos considerando de forma equivalente as regiões antimesentérica e intermediária da circunferência intestinal.