Galactose Neuropathy: Structural Changes Evaluated by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

We examined the hypothesis that the polyol accumulation resulting from chronic galactose supplementation in the diet produces endoneurial edema that can be prevented by inhibition of aldose reductase. We explored the potential of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to quantitate and characterize the water accumulation in the sciatic nerve in this “galactose neuropathy.” The data demonstrate a 16% increase in gravimetrically determined total water content of nerve in the galactose-fed rat after 8 mo of this diet and a 50% increase in the T1 relaxation time for nerve water as determined by NMR spectroscopy. Prolongation of the T1 relaxation time reflects increased rotation of water in a magnetic field, consistent with an extracellular site of the additional water. Simultaneous feeding of sorbinil to inhibit aldose reductase resulted in normalization of both total nerve water and of the prolongation of T1 relaxation time. These data define the NMR-spectroscopic state of endoneurial edema in the galactose-fed rat and suggest specific application to the investigation of the role of aldose reductase in human diabetic neuropathy.