[Effects of the artificial pancreas on peripheral nerve function in the diabetic]

Twenty-one diabetic subjects were studied; all manifested fasting hyperglycemia and elevated Hb A1C. Motor conduction velocity of the median, ulnar and peroneal nerves; F wave of the peroneal nerve; sensory conduction velocity and sensory potential amplitude of the median and ulnar nerves and H reflex were determinated immediately before and after two days of strict glucose control with an artificial endocrine pancreas. A significant and acute improvement of some electrophysiological parameters led us to presume that repair of structural lesions would be unlikely. Only a metabolic disturbance, due to hyperglycemia, can be rapidly corrected.