Prevention of abnormalities in motor nerve conduction and nerve blood-flow by a prostacyclin analog, beraprost sodium, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The effects of the prostacyclin analog beraprost sodium on motor nerve function and nerve blood-flow were examined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of beraprost sodium 0.1 mg/kg/day for 8 wks significantly (P < 0.001) improved caudal motor nerve conduction velocity and sciatic nerve blood-flow, both of which are impaired in diabetic rats. Beraprost sodium did not affect glucose, sorbitol, or fructose levels in the sciatic nerve. However, a decreased content of cyclic AMP in the sciatic nerve and higher level of thromboxane B₂ in the thoracic aorta of diabetic rats, as compared with those in normal rats, were reversed by the treatment with beraprost sodium (P < 0.01). Results suggest that beraprost sodium may have value in treating diabetic neuropathy, mainly by improving endoneurial blood-flow.