We have previously suggested that alterations in sequential early gene responses of trophic factors (IGF-1 -->c-fos-->NGF) contribute to impaired peripheral nerve regeneration in type 1 diabetic BB/W-rats. To study the role these responses may play in type 2 diabetic nerve regeneration, BB/Z-rats were subjected to sciatic nerve crush injury. The expression of IGF-1, c-fos, NGF and the receptors p75 and IGF-1R were determined at the protein and mRNA levels in sciatic nerve distal to the crush site by immunoblotting and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. In situ hybridization was performed to assess the cellular localization of IGF-1, NGF, p75, and IGF-1R mRNA and immunohistochemistry served to localize the source of p75 and IGF-1R protein expression. The data were compared to those of type 1 diabetic BB/Wor-rats and non-diabetic controls. Increased expression of IGF-1 in Schwann cells is the first growth factor response to injury and peaked at 0.5 hours (h) in control, 2 h in type 2 rats, and 24 h in type 1 rats. IGF-1R was expressed in Schwann cells and its expression was asynchronous to IGF-1 expression in type 1 rats but remained synchronous with IGF-1 in control and type 2 animals. The expression of the immediate early proto-oncogene c-fos exhibited an initial peak at 6 h in control animals, 24 h in type 2, and 2 days (d) in type 1 animals. The initial peak of NGF expression occurred at 6 h in non-diabetic rats, 24 h in type 2, and 2 d in type 1 diabetic rats. The expression of p75 was delayed and attenuated in type 1 diabetic rats; however, in type 2 diabetic rats it was similar to that of non-diabetic rats. These data indicate that early gene responses following nerve damage are significantly less perturbed in type 2 compared to type 1 diabetes. These differences may account for the more efficient nerve regeneration seen in type 2 diabetic polyneuropathy.