Research Article - Biomedical Research (2017) Volume 28, Issue 14

Protective effect of vitamin B1 on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and its mechanism

Ruipeng Song^1,2, Xuehui Chen² and Zhigang Zhao^1*

¹Zhengzhou University People's Hospital (Henan Provincial People's Hospital), Zhengzhou, PR China

²The Third People’s Provincial Hospital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, PR China

*Corresponding Author:

Zhigang Zhao
Zhengzhou University People's Hospital
Zhengzhou, PR China

Accepted on June 08, 2017

Abstract

To explore the effect of vitamin B1 on Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) and its mechanism for providing a theoretical basis for clinical prevention and effective treatment of diabetic neuropathy. 40 SD male rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=10/group) and they were normal control (NC) group, Diabetes Mellitus (DM) group, diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) group and vitamin B1 (VB1) group. A rat model of diabetes was induced in DM, DPN and VB1 group rats by intra-peritoneal injecting a freshly prepared streptozotocin, and vitamin B1 was only given rats in VB1 group. Then electrochemical methods were used to detect the level of serum vitamin B1, while spectrophotometry was applied to determine the content of acetyl cholinesterase in sciatic nerve tissues, changes in inflammatory factor NF-κB could be presented using immunohistochemistry, the morphology of never tissues was observed under Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). Compared with NC group, DM and DPN group showed decreased serum vitamin B1 and acetyl cholinesterase level in sciatic nerve tissues, but up-regulated NF-κB expression (P<0.05). Compared with DPN group, after vitamin B1 supplementation, the level of acetyl cholinesterase in sciatic nerve tissues was significantly increased, but NF-κB expression was significantly down-regulated in VB1 group (P<0.05). Electron microscope showed that rats with DPN presented uneven thickness of sciatic nerve myelin, partial lamellar separation in bent and twisted state, and some lamellar growth into axon to make the axon thin, as well as organelles degeneration, chromatin condensation, incomplete nuclear envelope in Schwann cells. At 12^th week after vitamin B1 supplementation, the uneven thickness of sciatic nerve myelin and lamellar separation ameliorated; meanwhile, Schwann cells presented normal organelles basically and chromatin condensation. Taken together, vitamin B1 has some preventive and improving effects on DPN, and this effect may be achieved by changing acetyl cholinesterase content and NF-κB expression in sciatic nerve tissues.

Keywords

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), Vitamin B₁, Acetyl cholinesterase, NF-κB.

Introduction

Diabetic Periphery Neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common chronic complications of Diabetes Mellitus (DM), and the incidence rate is 50-90%. It is a major contributor to foot ulceration and lower limb amputation in persons with DM and have also a significant negative effect on patient’ s quality of life [1-4]. So far, there have been no clinical effective methods to prevent the initiation and progression of diabetic neuropathy. Foreign studies found that vitamin B₁ insufficiency occurred in diabetic patients, but DPN would improve to some extent after vitamin B₁ supplementation [5,6]. However, the specific mechanism of vitamin B₁ for the treatment of DPN is not yet clear and this is worth further study.

In this study, we detected the serum level of vitamin B₁ in rats with DPN and quantitatively analysed the content of inflammatory factors and cholinesterase after vitamin B₁ supplementation, as well as observed morphological changes of nerve tissues using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), aiming at exploring the effects of vitamin B₁ intervention on DPN and the underlying mechanisms, which can provide theoretical basis for clinical prevention and effective treatment of DPN.

Materials and Methods

Animal grouping and model preparation

The study was performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats (license NO. SCXK (Yu) 2010-0002), which were purchased in Feb 2015 from Experimental Animal Center in Henan, 6-8 weeks old and weighing 200-220 g. These rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=10/group): normal control (NC) group, diabetes mellitus (DM) group, diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) group and vitamin B₁ (VB₁) group. In DM group, according to the previously literature, a rat model of diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 1% streptozotocin (STZ) in accordance with 55 mg/kg [7].

After 72 h, blood sample was drawn from tail tip using needle and fasting blood glucose measured by glucometer was ≥ 16.7 mmol/L and these rats developed diabetes but no peripheral neuropathy after feed for 4 weeks. In DPN group, rats with diabetes were fed for 12 weeks, and changes in Motor Nerve Conduction Velocity (MNCV) were detected. When compared to rats with normal blood glucose, MNCV of sciatic nerve in diabetic rats decreased, and the difference was statistical significant, indicating the rat model of DPN was successfully developed. In VB₁ group, after the model was established successfully, rats in this group with DPN received intramuscular injection of vitamin B₁ with 10 mg/kg for each rat every day, intramuscular injection for 12 weeks. This study was performed in strict accordance with the recommendations in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD, USA), Eighth Edition, 2010. The animal use protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of Henan Provincial People’s Hospital.

Blood sampling and determination of serum vitamin B₁

The rats were fixed in the supine position on the operating table, and the skin was cut open along the clavicle using a disposable scalpel, while the fascia and tendon tissues around common jugular vein were open with a small curved scissors; after about 1 cm common jugular vein was free using a glass dissecting tool, the blood sample was drawn using a disposable lancet along the distal end of the heart to make the blood flow into the tube slowly, and the angle of the needle direction and the blood vessel was 15°C.

Next, above venous blood was allowed to stand at room temperature for 2 h, and was centrifuged for 10 min at 3000 r/ min; and the supernatant was collected. Vitamin B₁ content was determined using LK3000V vitamin detector (Lanbiao electronic Tech, Tianjin, China) according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and the linear correlation coefficient (CR) was ≥ 0.995, while the repeatability (CV) was ≤ 10% for sample analysis.

Detection of acetyl cholinesterase level in sciatic nerve tissues

The sciatic tissues were accurately weighed, following addition of saline in line with the ratio of weight (g) to volume (ml)=1:9. Then these tissues were homogenated mechanically under the condition of icy water bathing, and centrifuged at 2500r/min for 10 min. Next the supernatant was collected for test. Acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) was determined using AChE detection kit (Jiancheng Bioengineering Institution, Nanjing, China) by spectrophotometry in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The AChE activity was calculated according to the formula: AChE activity in tissue homogenate (U/mg pro)=(detection OD value-control OD value)/(standard OD value-blank OD value) × standard concentration (1 μmol/ml)/ sample protein concentration (mg pro/ml).

HE staining of sciatic nerve tissues in rats

The rats were sacrificed, and the sciatic nerve tissues were collected quickly. Above tissue sample was fixed with formaldehyde, dehydrated in ethanol with xylene as clearing medium. Then, the tissue was processed to paraffin and sectioned. Next, the mounted sections were deparaffinised, rehydrated, and stained with haematoxylin. After rinsed with water, the sections were performed for colour separation in 1% hydrochloric acid alcohol, stained with 1% eosin, then dehydrated with gradient alcohol. Meanwhile, xylene was used as clearing medium. Finally, the sections were mounted by neutral resin, observed under microscope and photographed.

TEM observation of rat sciatic nerve tissues

After the rats were sacrificed, the bilateral sciatic nerve from the lower limbs of the rats (1 cm from sciatic notch to distal end) was collected, fixed with 4% glutaraldehyde for 48 h, and then washed with phosphate buffer. Following ethanol dehydration and Epon embedding, the tissue was sectioned into the side of 1 mm × 1 mm × 1 mm for preparing TEM specimens. The ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy (JEM-1200EX, JEOL Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) after staining with lead citrate.

Sciatic nerve NF-κB immunohistochemical assays (SP)

The mounted sections were deparaffinised and rehydrated. Then they were placed in boiling citrate buffer (pH=6.0), which were treated with the mid-range microwave for 10 min. After cooled with natural running-water, the sections were fetched from the buffer, placed in 3% H₂O₂ solution to block endogenous catalase activity, following the soak in PBS. After addition of goat serum with 50 μl/piece, endogenous biotin in the tissues was blocked for 20 min at room temperature. Then the liquid on the surface was shaken off rather than washed off, the slices were incubated with primary antibody (rabbit polyclonal antibody, AB77851, Boster, Wuhan, China) with 50 μl/piece in 4°C refrigerator overnight. After soaked in PBS buffer, the slices were incubated with the secondary antibody (1:100; mouse monoclonal antibody, BM0104, Boster, Wuhan, China) with 50 μl/piece at 37°C to stand for 30 min.

Then the slices were soaked with PBS again, and after addition of HRP enzyme-linked avid in, diaminobenzidine (DAB) was used as the chromogen. Next, the slices were stained with haematoxylin, dehydrated with gradient alcohol. Meanwhile, xylene was used as clearing medium. Finally, the sections were mounted by neutral resin, observed under microscope and photographed. And immunohistochemical analysis of the results was performed on Image-Pro Plus 6.0 image analysis software to measure NF-κB positive area (PA) and integral optical density (IOD) in each field for each rat.

Statistical analysis

All data were performed using SPSS version 17.0 software (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA) and expressed as mean ± SD. Normality and homogeneity of variance analysis were applied for each set of data at first, and then non-paired sample t-test was carried out. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Serum vitamin B₁ content and acetyl cholinesterase level in sciatic nerve tissues

As shown in Table 1, compared with NC group, serum vitamin B₁ content and acetyl cholinesterase level in sciatic nerve tissues in DM, DPN and VB₁ group were decreased; moreover, vitamin B₁ content in DM and DPN group was significantly decreased when compared with NC group (P<0.05), and the comparison of acetyl cholinesterase level between DPN group and NC group was statistically significant (P<0.05). Serum vitamin B1 content and acetyl cholinesterase level in VB₁ group were significantly higher than those in DPN group, and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05) (Table 1).

Table 1. Serum vitamin B₁ content and acetyl cholinesterase level in sciatic nerve tissue in each group (x? ± s).

HE staining of sciatic nerve tissues in rats

Nerve tissue consisted of neurons, glial cells and fibres, besides cytoplasm contained general cytoplasm organelles (mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, etc.), as well as characteristic neurofibrillary and nissl body. Nevertheless, fine structure of nerve fibres was not observed by conventional HE staining of nervous tissues; furthermore, nerve fibres and myelin also did not distinguish, but the changes in the number of the nucleus could be noticed.

HE staining can colour the chromatin in cell nucleus and ribosomes in the cytoplasm as hyacinthine, while the cytoplasm and the extracellular matrix components were colored as red. Then four slices from each experimental animal were randomly selected and placed under light microscope to record the number of nuclei, and the results were shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: HE staining of sciatic nerve tissues in rats (Magnification X 400). Note: Chromatin in the nucleus and ribosome in the cytoplasm were stained into purple-blue by HE staining, followed by observation of the number of nuclei with light microscope. Compared with NC (A), the numbers of neuronal nuclei in DM and DPN group (B and C) were reduced, and DPN group decreased significantly, and the difference was statistically significant, whereas the number of nuclei in VB1 group (D) was higher than that of DPN group.

Compared with NC group (106.58 ± 6.37), the number of nerve nuclei both in DM group (83.56 ± 4.98) and DPN group (52.09 ± 8.63) reduced; Moreover, its number in DPN group significantly reduced, and the difference was statistically significant; while the nuclei number (66.02 ± 7.41) in VB₁ group was increased when compared with DPN group (Figure 2).

Figure 2: The number of nuclei in four groups. Compared with the NC group, *P<0.05, compared with DPN group, #P<0.05.

Ultra structural changes of sciatic nerve tissues in each group

Under electron microscope, we could observe that normal rats presented the even thickness of sciatic nerve myelin, compact and orderly lamellar structure in concentric circular arrangement, uniform electron density in the axon, and a lot of mitochondria, neurofilament and microtubule, as well as normal Schwann cells.

In addition, rats with DPN presented uneven thickness of sciatic nerve myelin, partial lamellar separation in bent and twisted state, and some lamellar growth into axon to make the axon thin, as well as organelles degeneration, chromatin condensation, and incomplete nuclear envelope in Schwann cells. At 12^th week after vitamin B₁ supplementation, the uneven thickness of sciatic nerve myelin and lamellar separation ameliorated; Meanwhile, Schwann cells presented normal organelles basically and chromatin condensation (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Ultra structural changes of sciatic nerve tissues in each group (Magnification X 8000). Note: Normal rats presented the even thickness of sciatic nerve myelin, compact and orderly lamellar structure in concentric circular arrangement, uniform electron density in the axon, and a lot of mitochondria, neurofilament and microtubule, as well as normal Schwann cells (A). Sciatic nerve structure of diabetic rats was normal (B). Rats with DPN presented uneven thickness of sciatic nerve myelin, partial lamellar separation in bent and twisted state, and some lamellar growth into axon to make the axon thin, as well as organelles degeneration, chromatin condensation, and incomplete nuclear envelope in Schwann cells (C). In VB₁ group, the uneven thickness of sciatic nerve myelin and lamellar separation ameliorated; meanwhile, Schwann cells presented normal organelles basically and chromatin condensation (D).

Immunohistochemistry of NF-κB in sciatic never in each group

In rats, NF-κB was mainly expressed in the Schwann cells, axons and vascular endothelial cells in sciatic nerve, but less expression in myelin. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the nerve tissues were dyed brown, and the area with upregulation of NF-κB expression was stained more deeply.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, PA and IOD were significantly increased in DM group and DPN group when compared with NC group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Moreover, when compared with DPN group, PA and IOD in VB₁ group were reduced, and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05) (Figures 4 and 5).

Figure 4: Immunohistochemistry of NF-κB in sciatic never in each group (Magnification X 400). Note: Immunohistochemical staining showed that NF-κB was mainly expresses in Schwann cells, axons and vascular endothelial cells. Compared with NC group (A), the expression of NF-κB in DM group and DPN group was significantly increased, and the staining was enhanced (B and C). Compared with DPN group, NF-κB expression was decreased significantly in VB1 group (D), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).

Figure 5: The expression of NF-κB in four groups. NF-κB refers to nuclear transcription factor κB, PA is positive area, and IOD represents integrated optical density. Compared with the NC group, *P<0.01, compared with DPN group, #P<0.01.

Neurological complications of diabetes are the most common complication, which has a serious impact on the prognosis of diabetic patients. Its onset can involve any part of the body from the central nerve to the neuromuscular junction, which bring a great challenge to the clinical diagnosis and treatment. Previous studies have reported that vitamin B₁ insufficient exists in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), especially vitamin B₁ and B₁₂ deficiency [8-10], but there has been few research on mechanisms involving the impact of vitamin B₁ on DPN, and this study was carried out to investigate the changes in the vitamin B₁ content in DPN patients, as well as the influence of exogenous vitamin B₁ supplementation on DPN.

In this study, rats were divided into normal control (NC) group, diabetes mellitus (DM) group, diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) group and vitamin B1 (VB₁) group. Then VB₁ content was detected in each group, and the results showed that rats in DM and DPN group had a lack of vitamin B₁ to some extent, and the level of serum vitamin B₁ increased after exogenous vitamin B₁ supplementation.

AChE content in normal nerve tissues is higher. AChE mainly comes from motor neuron cell bodies, and it can arrive fast at the nerve terminal part along axon. Moreover, AChE activity reflects endplate degeneration and regeneration as well as the functional status of motor neurons [11,12]. In this study, we observed that AChE level in sciatic nerve tissues decreased in DM and DPN group, besides HE staining showed that the number of rats with diabetic neuropathy DPN group DM and the number of neuronal cell nucleus in both DM and DPN group was reduced, and this kind of decrease in DNP group was significant. In addition, electron microscope showed that rats with DPN presented uneven thickness of sciatic nerve myelin, partial lamellar separation in bent and twisted state, and some lamellar growth into axon to make the axon thin, as well as organelles degeneration, chromatin condensation, incomplete nuclear envelope in Schwann cells, which illuminate the ultrastructure of sciatic nerve cell damaged, suggesting that DPN had adverse effects on the motor system. However, after vitamin B₁ supplementation, the level of AChE was increased, and the uneven thickness of sciatic nerve myelin and lamellar separation ameliorated; meanwhile, Schwann cells presented normal organelles basically and chromatin condensation, which unfolded the number of nerve cells in diabetic rats was increased after vitamin B₁ supplementation, indicating that cell damage improved significantly, and motor neurons and peripheral motor nerve function restored.

The onset of DPN is the result of many factors, such as, abnormal activation of oxidative stress and signal transduction pathway, which can lead to the initiation and progression of DPN. Oxidative stress refers to the imbalance between the generation of active oxygen products and antioxidant defence system, thus leading to tissue damage [13]. Some studies have shown that oxidative stress-sensitive NF-κB activation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic microangiopathy. Furthermore, NF-κB synthesis can increase by combining with vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and endothelin promoter, resulting in vasoconstriction and the formation of thrombus. Meanwhile, NF-κB may promote the release of insulin-like growth factor-IA and platelet-derived growth factor, and these factors can cause cell matrix proliferation, vessel hypertrophy, lumen stenosis and decreased blood vessel elasticity [14,15]. And all above facts are closely related to the occurrence of diabetic microangiopathy including neurological diseases. In this study, immunohistochemistry assays were used to detect the changes in NF-κB level in sciatic nerve tissues, and the results showed that NF-κB expression in DPN group was significantly increased, while its expression was decreased significantly after vitamin B₁ supplementation, thereby improving diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Vitamin B₁, also known as thiamine, is composed of thiazole ring and the pyrimidine ring, and an alkaline environment can accelerate the decomposition, while an acidic environment can keep it relatively stable, participating in glucose metabolism as coenzyme [16-18]. From the point of view of metabolic substance analysis, vitamin B₁ deficiency can affect oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate, so pyruvate cannot enter the citric acid cycle, which contributes to block glucose oxidation, resulting in less energy supplying for nerve tissue. Meanwhile, vitamin B₁ is necessary for the metabolism of branched chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine). Vitamin B₁ insufficient can block the oxidation process, which results in the accumulation of pyruvic and lactic acid, as well as the body’s ability to synthesize fat will decline. Besides lipids are the major component of cell membranes, if long-term lack of vitamin B₁ exists, the body will not be able to maintain good integrity of myelin nerve tissue, thereby leading to the development of DPN [19-21].

Conclusion

The study shows that vitamin B₁ has some preventive and improving effects on DPN, and this effect can be achieved by changing acetyl cholinesterase content in sciatic nerve tissues and NF-κB expression. Therefore, as for those suspected DPN patients, vitamin B₁ supplementation not only ensures the body’s normal metabolism, but also replenishes vitamin B₁ promptly for patients with early hidden deficiency.

Acknowledgement

We thank all participating investigators in this study.

Author’s Contributions

Ruipeng Song and Zhigang Zhao conceived of the study and drafted the manuscript. Ruipeng Song and Xuehui Chen participated in the study design and coordination. Xuehui Chen helped to conceptualize the study, conducted the statistical analysis, and helped to draft the manuscript. All authors contributed to critical revision of and approved the final manuscript.

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