Impaired glucose tolerance and insulinopenia in the GK‐rat causes peripheral neuropathy

Abstract

IGT combined with hyperinsulinemia for 2 months have no detectable effect on peripheral nerve function or structure. In contrast, IGT and subsequent insulinopenia result in a functional and structural neuropathy associated with impaired NGF support and neuropeptide synthesis. We suggest that these abnormalities are mainly due to insulinopenia rather than hyperglycemia.