B Vitamins Reduce Inflammation and Thermal Hyperalgesia in Rats With Achilles Tendonitis.

Fiero, Jeffrey C.; Folsom, Scott A.; Milligan, Brian P.; Zhi-Jiang Huang; Rupert, Ronald L.; Xue-Jun Song

Objective: Tendonitis can be defined as inflammation, or a response of body tissues to injury or irritation, of a tendon and characterized by swelling, pain. redness, and heat. Inflammation is also seen as a tightly regulated multistep process that is crucial for the prevention of infection, removal of debris, and initiation of the healing response. In the present study, we examined the inflammation and hyperalgesia and the treatment effects of vitamin B1, B2, B3, and vitamin B complex in rats with Achilles tendonitis (AT). Methods: We used the AT model produced by percutaneous injection of collagenase in rats. Thermal hyperaigesla was determined by a shortened latency of foot withdrawal to radiant heat. Results: Our results showed that subcutaneous injection of collagenase produced significant pain and thermal hyperalgesia and inflammation evidenced by the local swell. Intraperitoneal injection of B1 (100 mg/kg), B6, (100 mg/kg), B12 (2 mg/kg), and VBC (B vitamin combination including B1 [33 mg/kg], B6 [33 mg/kg], and B12 [0.5 mg/kg]) significantly reduced thermal hyperalgesia in both severity and duration and the swelling. B6, seemed to display the most effective results followed by B12, VBC, and B1, respectively. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates the effects of B vitamins in the treatment of Achilles tendonitis and suggests the possibility of clinical usage of the B vitamin treatment of Achilles tendonifis accompanied by injury or inflammation in human beings.

VITAMIN B complex; WATER-soluble vitamins; HYPERALGESIA; INFLAMMATION; ACHILLES tendinitis; SPORTS injuries

Journal of Chiropractic Education (Association of Chiropractic Colleges), 2008, Vol 22, Issue 1, p57

1042-5055

Academic Journal