Changes in sorbitol, myo-inositol and lipid inositol in dorsal root and sympathetic ganglia from streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Sorbitol, fructose, myo-inositol and lipid inositol concentrations were measured in excised dorsal root and sympathetic ganglia from rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, both in the acute stage (1 and 2 weeks after the induction of diabetes) and chronically (after 2 months of diabetes). In comparison with age-matched controls, myo-inositol concentrations were decreased by 26-32% after 1 and 2 weeks but had returned to normal levels at 2 months. Lipid inositol concentrations were normal both in the acutely and chronically diabetic animals. Sorbitol was not detectable in ganglia from diabetic or control animals except for a small quantity (0.05 mumol/g wet weight) in dorsal root ganglia at the 2-month stage. Fructose was present in dorsal root ganglia (1.71-3.53 mumol/g wet weight) at all stages and in sympathetic ganglia (2.18 mumol/g wet weight) at the 8-week stage. The differences in these results from those obtained in peripheral nerve trunks are possibly related to the lack of a blood-nerve barrier in sensory and autonomic ganglia.