The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Nrg1/Erbb2 Signaling Pathway In Male Rats with Diabetic Neuropathic Pain

Background: Dysfunction of Schwann cells by diabetes has far-reaching consequences for the structure and function of peripheral nerves. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise on the Nrg1 / ErbB2 signaling pathway in male rats with diabetic neuropathic pain. Methods: Twenty-four 8-week-old male Wistar rats (weight range 204 ± 11.3 g) were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8) including: Diabetic neuropathy (50 mg / kg streptozotocin injection), Diabetic neuropathy Exercise (30 minutes exercise aerobics intensity 15 m/min, 5 days per week for 6 weeks), and healthy controls. After confirmation of diabetic neuropathic pain by behavioral tests, aerobic exercise protocol was performed. The expression of Nrg1 / ErbB2 genes was measured by real-time technique. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test were used for statistical analysis.   Results: Aerobic exercise reduced the nervous system's sensitivity to thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Induction of diabetes significantly reduced Nrg1 and ErbB2 gene expression. There was also a significant increase in the expression of the above genes in the exercise group compared to the diabetic neuropathy group (P<0.05). Conclusion: It seems that aerobic exercise is effective in increasing the nerve repair process by activating growth signaling pathways in Schwann cells. It is recommended that aerobic exercise be used for diabetics to reduce neuropathic pain.