Purpose : This study examined the effects of treadmill exercise of diverse intensities on the expression of IL-1β(interleukine-1β) in the spinal cord in osteoarthritis rats.
Methods : The authors applied treadmill exercise of diverse intensity for 4 weeks to Sprague-Dawley rats to which intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate(MIA, 3㎎/50㎕, diluted in saline) was applied in the right knee joint to induce osteoarthritis. The four-week exercise was not applied to the control group(CG, n=15), while exercise of applicable intensity was applied to the low-intensity exercise group(LEG, n=15), moderate-intensity exercise group(MEG, n=15), and high-intensity exercise group(HEG, n=15) for four weeks. Observations were made of expression of IL-1β in the spinal cord in osteoarthritis rats using western blot analysis.
Results : There were significant differences(p<.05) in the comparison of expression of IL-1β in the spinal cord between the four groups involved. And the LEG and MEG had reduced expression of IL-1β significantly than the CG(p<.05); in particular, the MEG showed the lowest expression. On the other hand, the HEG had more elevated expression of IL-1β significantly than the CG(p<.05).
Conclusion : As a result, factors that induce neuropathic pain such as IL-1β are reduced; thus, the recovery of damaged neurons is improved and neuropathic pain is reduced. Further, when prescribing exercise to treat osteoarthritis patients, exercise of moderate intensity suitable for patients’ physical conditions, rather than high intensity, maximizes the effects of this therapy.