Effect of Aerobic Exercise on IL-35 Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine and Behavioral Pain Responses in a Model of Diabetic Neuropathy Rats

Nerve inflammation plays an important role in the occurrence and development of diabetic neuropathy pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise on anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-35 and behavioral pain responses in a model of diabetic neuropathy rats.

In this experimental study, twenty four 8-week-old male Wistar rats (weight range: 204 ± 11.3 grams) were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8): diabetic neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy exercise and control. After confirmation of diabetic neuropathy pain by hot plate behavioral tests and mechanical allodynia, the aerobic exercise protocol was implemented. IL-35 and NF-κB gene expression in spinal cord tissue was measured by real-time PCR. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test with SPSS version 16 software were used for statistical analysis (P <0.05).

Exercise reduced the response of behavioral tests of diabetic neuropathic pain in the exercise group compared to the diabetic neuropathy group (P <0.05). Induction of diabetes caused a significant decrease in IL-35 gene expression and a significant increase in NF-kB gene (P=0.001) (P=0.021).There was also a significant increase in IL-35 gene expression and a significant decrease in NF-κB gene expression in the exercise group compared to the diabetic neuropathy group (P=0.007) (P=0.034).

It seems that aerobic training has reduced the sensitivity of nociceptors to pain agents by activating the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-35 in spinal cord microglia. It is recommended to use aerobic exercise to reduce neuropathic pain.