Effect of Aerobic Training and Melatonin Consumption on <i>TNF-α</i> Expression in the Spinal Cord Tissue of Male Rats with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Background: Neuroinflammation plays a central role in the onset and development of diabetic neuropathic pain. Objectives: This study aims to thoroughly investigate the effects of aerobic training and melatonin on TNF-α expression in rats suffering from diabetic neuropathic pain. Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats, aged 8 weeks and weighing 204 ± 11.3 g, were randomly assigned to one of five groups: Diabetic, melatonin-treated diabetic, exercise-trained diabetic, melatonin and exercise-trained diabetic, and control. Diabetes was induced by injecting streptozotocin (STZ) at a dose of 50 mg/kg. After verifying the development of diabetes through a pain perception test, the training group underwent six weeks of continuous aerobic training on a treadmill with an average intensity of 15 meters per minute for 30 minutes. The melatonin groups received a daily dose of 10 mg per kilogram of body weight for 6 weeks. TNF-α expression levels were measured using real-time PCR. Results: The combination of aerobic training and melatonin supplementation significantly decreased TNF-α expression levels (P < 0.05). Additionally, the levels of TNF-α expression were found to be lower in the diabetic group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It appears that combining aerobic training with melatonin supplementation can regulate TNF-α expression levels and enhance the sensitivity of nociceptors to nociceptive factors resulting from the gradual deterioration of sensory neurons caused by diabetes.