Fig. 3. Cinacalcet increases the axonal area and area of unmyelinated fibers and decreases Schwann cell degeneration of the sciatic nerve in db/db mice.

a, b The axonal area, area of unmyelinated fiber, and Schwann cell degeneration in the sciatic nerves were determined at 20 weeks in db/m and db/db mice. Representative electron microscopic images of the sciatic nerve bundles (×5000) (a). Marked decreases in the number of unmyelinated nerve bundles (open arrows) and prominent axonal degeneration (arrows) were observed in the db/db controls. These deficits were improved by the 12-week cinacalcet treatment in the db/db+cina mice (a). Quantitative analyses of axonal area and areas of unmyelinated fiber are shown (b). Scale bar = 2 μm (a). (n = 8 in each groups) *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01compared with the other groups