Enhanced neural regeneration from transected vagus nerve terminal in diabetic mice in vitro

This study examined the effect of diabetes on neural regeneration in vitro. Nodose ganglia (NG) with vagal nerve fibers, dissected from streptozotocin-induced diabetic and normal C57BL/6J mice were embedded in collagen gel. After 3 and 7 days in culture, the numbers of regenerating neurites from transected nerve terminals of NG in diabetic mice were significantly greater than those in controls. Although many studies have revealed diabetes-associated impairment in neural regeneration, the results in the present study suggest that experimental diabetes could induce the potential to enhance regenerative capability of vagal sensory nerves after axotomy.