Journal of Pain Research
A Rat Model Mimicking Treatment-Induced Painful Diabetic Neuropathy Following Experimental Rapid Weight Loss
By Yunwei Liu, Chongsong Cui, You Peng and 5 others.
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigated the feasibility of constructing a painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) rat model mimicking treatment-induced neuropathy (TIND) through rapid weight reduction via caloric restriction combined with metformin.
Methods
Type 2 diabetes was induced using a high-fat diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin (STZ, 30 mg/kg). At week 11, rats were classified into spontaneous PDN and non-painful diabetic neuropathy (NPDN) groups based on mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) decline (≥ 50% from baseline). Rapid weight loss was subsequently induced over 10 weeks (weeks 12– 21) via 40% food restriction by weight combined with metformin gavage (200 mg/kg·d). Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT), motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities (MNCV and SNCV), sciatic nerve histopathology, and intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) were assessed.
