Abstract This letter to editor is aimed at re-exploring the structure-function inter-relationship from an evidenceinformed bench-to-bedside perspective for ultrastructural characteristics of peripheral nerves in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and its implications for assessment and management of patients. Ultrastructural changes occurred in all parts of the peripheral nerves- axons, cell bodies, dendrites, myelin sheath and endplates.The ultrastructural changes were reported in both sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers, and occurred in both myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers. The ultrastructural changes responded to treatment by ponalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor. These findings from experimental studies on diabetic rats indicate that the peripheral nerve lesions in human diabetics were mainly due to metabolic impairment of nerve fibers, accompanying dysmetabolism of Schwann cells and diabetic microangiopathy.
Keywords: Ultrastructure; Morphometry; Histochemical Study; Neuroanatomy; Diabetic Neuropathy.