The effect of aerobic exercise with melatonin on GDNF gene expression and some indicators of oxidative stress in male rats with diabetic neuropathic pain

GDNF protects nerve cells against inflammation and oxidative stress caused by hyperglycemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise with melatonin on GDNF gene expression and some indicators of oxidative stress in rats with diabetic neuropathic pain. Forty 8-week-old male Wistar rats (weight range 204 ± 11.3 g) were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8) including: diabetic neuropathy (50 mg/ kg streptozotocin intraperitoneal injection), diabetic melatonin neuropathy (mg/kg 10 melatonin daily for 6 weeks), diabetic neuropathy exercise (30 minutes of aerobic exercise at 15 meters per minute, 5 days a week for 6 weeks), diabetes melatonin neuropathy and healthy exercise and control. After confirmation of diabetic neuropathy by behavioral tests, exercise protocol and supplementation were performed. GDNF gene expression was measured by real-time technique and oxidative stress indices in spinal cord tissue by spectrophotometer. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test were used for statistical analysis. Exercise and melatonin reduced the sensitivity of the nervous system to thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Aerobic exercise with melatonin significantly increased GDNF gene expression and SOD and CAT enzyme activity and decreased MDA concentration compared to diabetic neuropathy group (P <0.05). Aerobic exercise with melatonin modulates the expression of GDNF gene and oxidative stress indices and improves the sensitivity of nociceptors to pain factors. It is recommended to use aerobic exercise with melatonin for diabetics to reduce neuropathic pain.