Development of Diabetic Neuropathy in C57BL/6 Mice in the Setting of a High-Fat Diet

Diabetic neuropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the most common microvascular complications. Uncontrolled hyperglycemia leads to the formation of vascular abnormalities, eventually causing ischemia of nerve fibers. In our experiment, C57BL/6 mice were maintained on a high-fat diet for 21 weeks. At week 17, 19, and 21, blood glucose concentrations were measured; functional testing was performed using von Frey filaments, hot plate and limb cooling with acetone. In the present study, C57BL/6 mice on a high-fat diet showed increased sensitivity to mechanical stimulus, limb cooling and heating, which may indicate the development of diabetic polyneuropathy.