Phenotyping animal models of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in rats: advantages and limitations

Diabetic polyneuropathy is one of the most common late complications of diabetes mellitus, as well as the main cause of ulcerative foot defects. The prevalence of neuropathy among people with diabetes varies from 28 to 65%, depending on the disease duration and diagnostic features. Initial signs of damage are detected as early as in prediabetes. To date, there is a fairly limited knowledge of the mechanisms of nerve fiber damage in diabetes. Also, it is unclear which type of nerve fibers is involved in damage first and how the nervous system regulates repair of tissues and local immunity. Animal models of diabetic peripheral neuropathy enable studying new aspects of the pathogenesis of this common diabetes complication and open prospects for the search and development of new drugs.