The Effects of Combined Vitamins C and E Treatment on Pain Sensitivity in Diabetic Mice

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
F. Habibnia 1
H. Emamgholinejad 1
A. Sadrzadeh 1
K. Akbarnattaj 2
M. Ashrafpour 3
F. Pourabdolhossein 4
1 Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
2 2Department of Neurology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
3 Mobility Impairment Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
4 3 Mobility Impairment Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran4 Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Neuropathic pain is a common and debilitating complication of diabetes, significantly affecting their quality of life. This study investigates the effects of combined vitamins C and E treatment on pain sensitivity in diabetic mice, aiming to elucidate their therapeutic potential for managing diabetic neuropathic pain.

Methods: Adult male BALB/c mice (25-30g) were used to induce animal model of diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). The pain sensitivity was evaluated by several behavioral tests such as hot plate, tail flick and formalin test.

Results: Our results demonstrated that glucose levels in diabetic mice were significantly elevated compared to controls, and Vitamin E treatment notably reduced glucose levels, while vitamin C alone did not show significant changes. Pain behavior was assessed using the formalin test, where both vitamins significantly reduced licking time during the acute phase and chronic phase with combined treatment exhibiting an additive effect. Additionally, the tail flick test revealed prolonged latency in response to thermal stimuli with both vitamins, indicating enhanced analgesic effects, particularly when administered together. The hot plate test further confirmed increased latency times with vitamin supplementation.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that vitamins C and E co-supplementation ameliorates pain sensitivity and may improve metabolic outcomes in diabetic conditions, highlighting the benefits of these antioxidants and their potential as therapeutic agents to improve clinical outcomes for patients suffering from diabetes-related pain.

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Pathobiology Reserach
Volume 27, Issue 3
November 2024
Pages 47-53