Gait analysis correlates mechanical hyperalgesia in a model of streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy: A CatWalk dynamic motor function study

Author(s)

Vieira, Willians Fernando ; Malange, Kaue Franco ; de Magalhaes, Silviane Fernandes ; dos Santos, Gilson Goncalves ; Rodrigues de Oliveira, Alexandre Leite ; Cruz-Hofling, Maria Alice ; Parada, Carlos Amilcar

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Neuroscience Letters; v. 736, p. 12-pg., 2020-09-25.

Abstract

Peripheral neuropathy is a complication of diabetes commonly associated with pain and decline in motor compound action potential, leading to alterations in plantar pressure during gait. We identified motor impairments in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic neuropathic rats and correlated with mechanical withdrawal thresholds, establishing this correlation as a complementary method to investigate the development of chronic hyperalgesia in diabetic neuropathy. Methods: UNICAMP's Ethics Committee (protocol number 3902-1) approved all experiments. Male Lewis rats (200-250 g) received a STZ-low-dose (25 mg/kg/day) (STZ group) or 0.1 M sodium citrate buffer (SCB, control group) once a day, during five consecutive days. Diabetic rats (250 mg/dL blood glucose) were submitted to electronic von Frey and CatWalk tests at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after treatment. Results: STZ, but not SCB, induced diabetes. After the 14th day (STZ)-induced diabetic rats showed mechanical hyperalgesia and a reduction in the hind limbs footprint intensities. At the 28th day, rats presented alterations in spatial parameters (Maximum Contact Area; Stride Length; Print Area), which showed a strong correlation with mechanical withdrawal thresholds (r(2) = 0.97; 0.99, and 0.93, respectively). Conclusions: Correlation between gait parameters and mechanical withdrawal thresholds enables a better experimental approach to evaluate the development of chronic hyperalgesia in the STZ-induced diabetes model. It allows a concise crosstalk of motor and sensorial functions, which are usually analyzed individually. CatWalk gait parameters can be used as a complementary tool to investigate the development of hyperalgesia in STZ-induced diabetic neuropathic rats. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/12673-5 - Effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in experimental diabetic neuropathy
• Grantee: Willians Fernando Vieira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 14/25153-7 - Analysis of differential gene expression of dorsal ganglion root cell in a model of diabetes and peripheral diabetic neuropathy
• Grantee: Carlos Amilcar Parada
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/05108-8 - Direct influence of low-level laser irradiation on neurons: an electrophysiological study to helping comprise analgesic effects of infrared light in diabetic neuropathy
• Grantee: Willians Fernando Vieira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate