Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid on Diabetes Mellitus-Induced Histomorphological Changes in Peripheral Nerve

Objective: To study the protective effect of Omega 3 fatty acid co-administration in diabetes mellitus induced histomorphological changes in peripheral nerve and nerve fiber diameter and fibrosis in perineurium in rat. Study Design: Laboratory based experimental animal study.Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi and National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad, Methodology: Ninety male, healthy Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 200-300gms were selected for the study and divided in three groups. Group A was control group, group B was diabetic group and group C was diabetic group which was co-administered with omega-3 fatty acids orally for a period of eight weeks. All rats were sacrificed and peripheral nerve samples were collected for gross and histological examination. Nerve samples were stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin and Masson Trichrome for microscopic examination. At the end of experiment nerves were examined for diameter of the nerve and nerve fibers. Results: Diameter of nerve and nerve fiber diameter were reduced in diabetic group but there was statistically significant improvement in omega-3 fatty acid group (group C) on intergroup comparison. Fibrosis in perineurium also reduced in omega-3 fatty acid group on intergroup comparison. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus causes histomorphological changes in peripheral nerve and fibrosis in the perineuriumwhich showed improvement on co-administration of Omega 3 fatty acid however on intergroup comparison between group A & C these protective effects were not statistically significant.