Fig. 2.

Experimental animal protocol and clinical and neurophysiological measurements. a Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) were transplanted into unilateral hind limb skeletal muscles 48 weeks after streptozotocin (STZ) injection, and neurophysiological assessments were performed 4 weeks after DPSC transplantation. Small doses of insulin pellet were administered subcutaneously once a month from 8 weeks after STZ injection to avoid excess hyperglycemia. b Blood glucose concentrations during the experiment. Blood glucose levels were determined at the indicated time points. c Sciatic motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV). MNCV was measured between the ankle and sciatic notch. d Sciatic sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV). SNCV was measured between the ankle and knee; n = 5. e Sciatic nerve blood flow (SNBF). SNBF was measured using a Laser Doppler Blood Flow Meter. The results are means ± SEM. *P < 0.01, vs. vehicle-injected side of normal rats; ^† P < 0.01, vs. vehicle-injected side of diabetic rats. SD Sprague-Dawley