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Background: Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication associated with diabetes mellitus. It has been shown that oxidative stress is an important etiological factor in neuropathy which contributes to its development however, the exact pathophysiology underlying this complication is not fully understood. This study was designed to examine the effect of regular exercise and vitamin C administration on pain threshold in rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats (220±10 g) were allocated to control and diabetic (control, vitamin C, exercise, and exercise+ vitamin C) groups. Diabetes was induced by the subcutaneous administration of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). A week after the induction of diabetes, the rats were subjected to swimming training and vitamin C treatment for 8 weeks. At the end of weeks 3, 5, and 8, Tail-Flick test was done on the rats to assess pain threshold. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Diabetes significantly decreased pain threshold in the rats. Diabetes-induced hyperalgesia was significantly decreased by training and vitamin C. Concurrent effects of training and vitamin C on thermal pain threshold were significantly higher than each of them alone. Conclusion: Regular exercise together with vitamin C administration can be a proper method for preventing thermal hyperalgesia associated with diabetes. Therefore, they can be effective in the treatment and management of pain

Keywords: Diabetes, Diabetic neuropathy, Pain threshold, Regular exercise, Vitamin C

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