Effect of regular exercise and vitamin C on pain threshold in diabetic rats

Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication associated with diabetes mellitus. It has been shown that oxidative stress is an important etiological factor in neuropathy which contributes to its development; however, the exact pathophysiology underlying this complication is not fully understood. This study was designed to examine the effect of regular exercise and vitamin C administration on pain threshold in rats.

In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats (220±10 g) were allocated to control and diabetic (control, vitamin C, exercise, and exercise+ vitamin C) groups. Diabetes was induced by the subcutaneous administration of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). A week after the induction of diabetes, the rats were subjected to swimming training and vitamin C treatment for 8 weeks. At the end of weeks 3, 5, and 8, Tail-Flick test was done on the rats to assess pain threshold. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.

Diabetes significantly decreased pain threshold in the rats. Diabetes-induced hyperalgesia was significantly decreased by training and vitamin C. Concurrent effects of training and vitamin C on thermal pain threshold were significantly higher than each of them alone.

Regular exercise together with vitamin C administration can be a proper method for preventing thermal hyperalgesia associated with diabetes. Therefore, they can be effective in the treatment and management of pain