Altered morphology and function of the peripheral nociceptive system in the offspring of diabetic rats

• Published in: International journal of developmental neuroscience Vol. 80; no. 4; pp. 267 - 275
• Main Authors: Campos Lima, Taís, Lemes, Júlia Borges Paes, Capop, Tauane Franco Pinheiro Alves, Lima, Lorena Borges, Lotufo, Celina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.06.2020
• Subjects: Animals; Carrageenan; development; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - physiopathology; Diabetic Neuropathies - pathology; Diabetic Neuropathies - physiopathology; dorsal root ganglia; Female; Ganglia, Spinal - pathology; Hot Temperature; Hyperalgesia - chemically induced; Hyperalgesia - complications; Male; maternal diabetes; Neurons - pathology; Nociception; Nociceptors; pain; Pain Measurement; Physical Stimulation; Pregnancy; Rats; Rats, Wistar; sensory neurons; nociception; development; pain; sensory neurons; maternal diabetes; dorsal root ganglia
• ISSN: 0736-5748; 1873-474X
• DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10023

The aim of this study was to determine whether maternal diabetes induced by alloxan injection in the first gestational day of female Wistar rats interferes with the development of the nociceptive peripheral system of the offspring. Behavioral and histologic analysis was performed using the adult offspring of diabetic and control rats. It was found that the offspring of diabetic rats were more sensitive to thermal stimulation and showed an altered response to carrageenan‐induced inflammatory hyperalgesia. The histological analysis showed an increased proportion of nociceptive neurons, while the population of non‐nociceptive myelinated neurons was reduced. Therefore, exposition to hyperglycemia and/or hyperinsulinemia in uterus, caused by a diabetic mother, might result in altered nociceptive sensations in the offspring throughout life. Exposition to hyperglycemia and/or hyperinsulinemia in uterus, caused by a diabetic mother, might result in altered nociceptive sensations in the offspring throughout life. The adult offspring of diabetic rats presented an increased proportion of nociceptive neurons at the dorsal root ganglia and altered somesthetic sensations. It was found that the offspring of diabetic rats were more sensitive to thermal stimulation, and showed an altered response to carrageenan induced inflammatory hyperalgesia.