ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a progress report on some studies on axoplasmic transport of somatostatin and substance P, particularly somatostatin in pathological conditions. In most of the studies, the ligation technique has been used to determine the quantitative aspect of axoplasmic transport of neuropeptides in normal axons and in various altered metabolic states. Acrylamide is known to produce axonal-type dying-back neuropathy. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes is a model for many features of both acute and chronic spontaneous diabetes in man and in rat. Severe impairment of neural function occurs with some frequency in adult patients with hypothyroidism. The study of axoplasmic transport in hypothyroidism indicating a reduction in somatostatin transport is very interesting. However, further studies have to be performed to find out the specificity of thyroid hormone in affecting transport of different peptides. The effect of acrylamide on axoplasmic transport of neuropeptides and other proteins seems to be a general phenomenon, suggesting its effect on all substances flowing at fast velocity.
