Background. Hyperglycemia reduces tendon homeostasis. Effects of physical exercise on diabetic rats have been widely studied; however, the effects of a combined physical and insulin therapy on biomechanical properties of the Achilles tendon (AT) remain unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the combination of moderate-intensity exercise on a treadmill and insulin therapy on metabolism, physical conditioning, and biomechanics of AT in diabetic rats. Methods. Forty-eight Wistar rats were divided into six groups: Sedentary Control-SCG, Treadmill Control-TCG, Sedentary Diabetic-SDG, Sedentary Insulin Diabetic-SIDG, Treadmill Diabetic-TDG, and Treadmill Insulin Diabetic-TIDG. Diabetic animals were induced with streptozotocin diluted in sodium citrate buffer (50 mg/Kg; 10 mM; pH 4.5; intraperitoneally). All groups were subjected to the maximal effort test for pre (MET 1 ) and post (MET 2 ) maximal speed determination. The exercise protocol was administered for 5 weeks (1 h/day, 5 days/week). Blood glucose levels and biomechanical properties of AT (e.g., traction) were evaluated. Results. Increased glycemia was observed in SDG (p<0.001; p=0.003), SIDG (p=0.009; p=0.037), and TDG (p=0.002; p=0.009); however, compared with SCG and TCG, TIDG showed no significant differences. Maximal force was reduced in TIDG (p=0.009) and SIDG (p = 0.002) and increased in SCG and TDG compared with in SIDG (p=0.024). The elastic modulus was reduced in TCG compared with in SCG (p = 0.011) and increased in SDG (p<0.001), SIDG (p=0.019), and TDG (p=0.006) compared with in TCG. Conclusions. The combined physical exercise and insulin therapy favors the stabilization of glycemic metabolic parameters and avoids increased tendon rigidity in diabetic rats.

Background: Peripheral nerves are constant targets of traumatic injury which may result in neurotmesis and which invariably requires surgical treatment. In view of this, tissue engineering studies developed biomaterials which were first tested in animal models and used as a guide for nerve stumps in the procedure in order to speed up the healing process. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of biomaterials used in tubing technique on healing and histological and functional recovery after peripheral nerve neurotmesis in rats. Methods: We will search PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, LILACS, and CENTRAL (from inception onwards). Grey literature will be identified through searching dissertation databases, guidelines, policy documents, and reports. We will include randomized and non-randomized trials conducted in young adult rats with peripheral neurometsis undergoing surgical repair through tubing technique with biomaterials. Primary outcomes will be histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry of the nerve tissue, and sciatic functional index. Secondary outcome will be nerve macroscopic evaluation. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data. Potential conflicts will be resolved through discussion. The methodological quality (or risk of bias) of individual studies will be appraised using an appropriate tool. If feasible, we will conduct random effects metaanalysis.