Neuropathy target esterase is not reduced in neural tissues of diabetic rats

Marked (greater than 70%) reduction of the neuropathy target enzyme (NTE) shortly after exposure to organophosphorus compounds heralds the onset of delayed neuropathic damage in animals and humans. One previous study reported that lymphocyte NTE from diabetic patients was depressed by greater than 70%; such a reduction was considered to be a biological marker of diabetic polyneuropathy. To ascertain whether NTE from target tissues might be involved in diabetic neuropathy, we measured NTE activity in the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. No reduction in NTE activity was detected in these neural specimens. Therefore, it is concluded that NTE is not involved in diabetic nerve damage and that the meaning of low NTE activity in peripheral lymphocytes of diabetic patients remains unclear.