Minocycline with aspirin: a therapeutic approach in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy

Enhanced production of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in diabetes leads to degradation of extracellular matrix in blood vessels and leads to complications of diabetes. In the present study, we have targeted MMP-2 and MMP-9 overactivation in diabetic neuropathy using a known MMP-2 and MMP-9 inhibitor, minocycline, with a non-selective COX inhibitor, aspirin. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy was carried out in male Wistar rats and monitored by measuring the sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV), motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), tail flick latency and hot plate latency. Three weeks of treatment with a combination of minocycline and aspirin showed significant improvement in SNCV, MNCV, hot plate latency and tail flick latency when compared with diabetic control. The results of the present study suggest that MMP-2 and MMP-9 inhibition in the presence of COX inhibitor prevents the development of experimental diabetic neuropathy in rats and can be a potential approach for the treatment.