[An experimental study on electrophysiological and histopathological changes in 2,5-hexanedione-intoxicated rats]

An experimental study of neuropathy due to 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HDione) was performed in rats by using simultaneously both electrophysiological and histopathological methods. Seven rats were given subcutaneously five days a week 200 mg/kg of 2,5-HDione for first 3 weeks and then 300 mg/kg for the next 5 weeks. Nerve conduction velocities in the tail were measured every week and after the respective measurement times one animals was sacrificed for histological study. At the 2nd week of the experiment, 2,5-HDione-treated rat showed a slight morphological changes with swollen axons in the posterior spinal root fiber and tail nerve. A slowing of motor and sensory conduction velocity (MCV and SCV) in the tail was observed in the treated group at the 4th week. Weakness of hindlimbs was apparently seen at the 5th week. At the 6th and 7th week, histological changes including giant axonal swelling, fiber loss, thinning of myelin and demyelination, were prominent in the various regions of the peripheral nervous system. Additionally, degenerative changes of the spermatogenic cells, especially the formation of multinucleated giant spermatids, were markedly observed in the treated rats at the 6th and 7th week.