Effects of swimming in cold water on the functioning and structure of peripheral nerves in diabetic rats / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effects of swimming in cold water on the functioning and structure of the peripheral nerves of diabetic rats,and to compare the effects of seawater and fresh water. Methods Forty SD rats weighing ( 250 ± 20) g were randomly divided into a normal control group (A),a diabetic model group ( B ),a seawater swimming group (C) and a fresh water swimming group (D) with 10 rats in each group.The swimming training was carried on 5 times a week for 8 weeks.At the end of the 4th and 8th week of training,caudal nerve conduction velocity (CNCV) was measured.The nerve structure of the caudal nerves was observed at the end of the 8th week. Results By the 4th week,CNCV had slowed significantly in group B compared with group A,but not in groups C and group D.Compared with group B,CNCV had increased significantly in group C.There was no significant difference in CNCV between groups C and D.At the 8th week,compared with group A,CNCV had slowed in groups B and C.Compared with group B,CNCV was significantly faster in groups C and D.However,there was no significant difference between group C and group D with regard to CNCV.At the end of the 8th week demyelination was observed in the caudal nerves under a light microscope and an electron microscope in groups B,C and D,but the demyelination was milder in groups D and C. Conclusion Swimming in cold water can prevent or delay diabetic neuropathy in diabetic rats.There was no significant difference between seawater and fresh water swimming in terms of its effect on CNCV.