Identification of dystrophic sympathetic axons in experimental diabetic autonomic neuropathy

Markedly dilated dystrophic post-ganglionic sympathetic axons have been identified by dopamine-beta-hydroxylase immunohistochemistry in the paravascular ileal mesenteric nerves of rats with chronic streptozotocin diabetes. Many axons contained multiple dilatations with interposed axonal segments of near normal dimensions. These axonal abnormalities were absent in control animals. The time course of the development of the axonopathy and its distribution in the alimentary tract correlate with quantitative ultrastructural findings previously reported in this system.