Figure 1. Flow-chart of prevention and therapeutic protocols in streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Bevacizumab (10 or 20 mg/kg) was administered i.p. at the indicated times. Four groups of Sprague Dawley rats (8 per group) were used in both the protocols (untreated, STZ untreated, STZ+bevacizumab 10 mg/kg, STZ+bevacizumab 20 mg/kg). In the prevention protocol, bevacizumab was administered at week 1 (after confirmation of diabetes), and week 4; rats were sacrificed at week 8. In the therapeutic protocol, bevacizumab was administered at week 8 and 12, and rats were sacrificed at week 16. Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and nociceptive threshold assessment were measured at the indicated times.