Mechanisms of Neuropathic Pain and Pain-Relieving Effects of Exercise Therapy in a Rat Neuropathic Pain Model

Journal of Pain Research, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S367818 · Published: July 13, 2022

Pain Management Rehabilitation Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how exercise helps with nerve pain by looking at changes in the spinal cord and brain in rats. The study uses a rat model of neuropathic pain to examine the effects of regular exercise on pain relief. The study found that exercise reduced pain and inflammation in the spinal cord, and also improved the growth of new nerve cells in the hippocampus, a part of the brain important for memory. These findings suggest that exercise could be a helpful treatment for people with nerve pain by reducing inflammation and promoting nerve cell growth in the brain.

Study Duration

5 weeks

Participants

25 male Sprague‒Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Regular exercise led to a significant reduction in pain hypersensitivity in rats with CCI at 5 weeks post-injury.
2
Exercise suppressed the expression of IBA1, CCR2, and TRAF6 in the spinal cord dorsal horn, indicating reduced activation of glial cells (microglia and astrocytes).
3
Exercise increased the expression of DCX and PROX1 in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, suggesting improved neurogenesis in the hippocampus.

Research Summary

The study investigated the effects of regular exercise on neuropathic pain relief, the underlying mechanisms, and the impact of neuropathic pain on the hippocampus in a rat model. Results showed that exercise significantly reduced pain hypersensitivity, suppressed glial cell activation in the spinal cord, and increased neurogenesis-related protein expression in the hippocampus. The findings suggest that regular exercise can improve neuropathic pain and mitigate neurogenic dysfunction in the hippocampal dentate gyrus.

Practical Implications

Non-pharmacological Intervention

Exercise can be considered as a non-pharmacological approach to manage neuropathic pain, offering an alternative or adjunct to medication.

Targeting Glial Activation

Exercise may alleviate neuropathic pain by modulating glial cell activation and inflammatory signaling pathways in the spinal cord.

Enhancing Neurogenesis

Exercise may promote neurogenesis in the hippocampus, potentially improving cognitive and emotional impairments associated with chronic pain.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on a rat model, which may not fully translate to human neuropathic pain conditions.
2
The specific mechanisms by which exercise modulates glial cell activation and neurogenesis require further investigation.
3
The optimal exercise intensity, duration, and frequency for alleviating neuropathic pain need to be determined.

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