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Clinical observations suggest a sex-dimorphism in the incidence and symptomatology of diabetic neuropathy, but this possible gender effect has never been investigated in detail in a well-characterized experimental model such as streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Therefore, in this study we have compared with a multimodal set of tests the impact of diabetes on the sciatic nerve in male and female rats. To assess whether sex-dimorphism in peripheral diabetic neuropathy is dependent on gonadal hormones we have also analyzed the effect of ovariectomy and orchidectomy on the sciatic nerve of STZ-diabetic rats. Nerve conduction velocity (NCV), Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity, expression of myelin proteins, thermal sensitivity and reactive oxygen species production were similarly affected in male and female animals by STZ. However, ovariectomy, but not orchidectomy, significantly counteracted STZ-induced alterations on NCV, Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity, and expression of myelin proteins. This effect of ovariactomy was associated to an increase in the levels of neuroactive steroids, such as dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, in the sciatic nerve of diabetic rats. These neuroactive steroids have been demonstrated to be protective agents in this experimental model of diabetic neuropathy. However, their efficacy has been so far tested only in male animals. Therefore, the present data might represent an important background to evaluate their efficacy also in female diabetic animals., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Swine constitute a well-characterized large animal model for kidney transplantation (K-Tx) although the uretero-neocystostomy represents a crucial aspect because of the very small caliber of the ureter and the mucosal susceptibility to the edema during surgical management. Besides infectious and occlusive complications limited the employment of a stent and the peculiar anatomy of the species prevents its removal without an operative approach. These features find an equivalent in children (<4 year old) candidates to urological surgery. We investigated an uretero-neocystostomy technique to be applied in case of narrow caliber without using endoluminal device., Materials and Methods: Thirty unrelated large-white piglets, divided into three equal groups (n = 10) on the basis of the uretero-neocystostomy technique used, underwent K-Tx while receiving a double immunosuppressive regimen. We developed a direct uretero-neocystostomy (Direct) technique and compare this with the gold standard Lich-Gregoir (LG) and Leadbetter-Politano (LP) techniques., Results: After 60 days, the ureteral complication rates were: group 1 (LG): 60% (6/10, three early and three late strictures); group 2 (LP): 40% (4/10, two leakages, one early stricture, and one isolated ureteral dilatation); group 3 (Direct): 10% (1/10, one isolated ureteral dilatation). No bacterial cystitis or nephritis occurred; retrograde cystograms were negative for refluxes in every group., Conclusions: The comparison between the old techniques and the new one (LG and LP versus Direct) showed a lower incidence of complications among the animals that underwent the new direct technique (P < 0.05). This technique could be applied clinically in selected pediatric cases either of transplantation or reflux.