The effect of aerobic exercise on HMGB1 protein levels and some oxidative stress indices in rats with diabetic neuropathic pain

Neuroinflammation plays a pivotal role in the development of diabetic neuropathic pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on HMGB1 protein levels and some oxidative stress biomarkers in a rat model of diabetic neuropathic pain.

40 male Wistar rats (weighing 220 ± 10.2 g) were randomly divided into four groups: diabetic neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy + exercise, healthy exercise, and healthy control.Diabetes was induced by STZ injection (50 mg/kg).After confirming the development of diabetes neuropathy by behavioral tests, exercise groups received 6 weeks of continuous aerobic exercise with an average intensity of 15 m/min for 30 minutes on a treadmill.Serum levels of HMGB1 were measured by ELISA and malondialdehyde (MAD) concentrations and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes in spinal cord were determined by biochemical methods.Two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests were used for statistical analysis.

Aerobic exercise significantly reduced the serum level of HMGB1 protein and MDA concentration and increased the activity of SOD and CAT enzymes compared to diabetic neuropathy group (p <0.05).Also, HMGB1 levels and MDA increased and the activity of SOD and CAT enzymes decreased in the diabetic neuropathy group (p <0.05).

Aerobic exercise seems to modify the HMGB1 protein levels and oxidative stress and improve the sensitivity of the nociceptors to painful agents.It is suggested that aerobic exercise be used as a non-prescriptive therapeutic intervention for diabetic patients to reduce neuropathic pain.