Preventive Effect of Vagal Auricular Electrostimulation and Resistance Exercise on the Spinal Cord Histomorphology in a Preclinical Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain

• Grant number: 24/04405-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Histology
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Aparecido Baptista Nucci
• Grantee: Marina Rausch
• Host Institution: Hospital Sírio-Libanês. Sociedade Beneficente de Senhoras (SBSHSL). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Neuropathic pain (NP) resulting from chemotherapy, such as oxaliplatin (OXA), poses a significant therapeutic challenge and may lead to treatment discontinuation in cancer patients. Effective therapeutic approaches are crucial to improve the quality of life for these patients. Two promising interventions include vagal nerve electrostimulation (VNS), specifically non-invasive percutaneous auricular stimulation (paVNS), and resistance training (strength exercises). This project aims to investigate the preventive effect of combined paVNS and resistance training therapy on OXA-induced NP in a preclinical rat model. To achieve this, animals will be allocated into five experimental groups: (1) Sham resistance training (TR) + vehicle (n = 5); (2) Sham TR + OXA (n = 5); (3) Sham TR + sham paVNS + OXA (n = 5); (4) TR + sham paVNS + OXA (n = 5); (5) TR + paVNS + OXA (n = 5). Spinal cord histomorphology (cresyl violet and luxol fast blue), patterns of neuronal (c-Fos) and glial (astrocytes by GFAP and microglia by Iba-1) activation, as well as neurodegeneration (TUNEL), will be evaluated in the dorsal and ventral horns of the spinal cord. This study aims to contribute to the development of more effective therapeutic strategies in managing chemotherapy-induced NP, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for oncology patients.