Defective activity of Na+,K(+)-ATPase in peripheral nerve of diabetic rats is independent of the axonal transport of the enzyme

This study addressed the question as to whether the reduced activity of Na + ,K + -ATPase reported to occur in diabetic nerves and to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy could be due to derangements in the axonal transport of the enzyme. A micromethod was developed to evaluate the ATPase accumulation in individual segments of ligated sciatic nerves from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The results confirmed a ∼ 40% decrease in the background activity, but showed that the enzyme was transported at similar rates in both anterograde and retrograde directions, suggesting that the decrease in its activity does not depend on an altered delivery along the axons.