Effect of lentinan on myocardial impairment in diabetic rats

AIM:To study the protective effect of lentinan against myocardial impairment in diabetic rats.METHODS:Morphology of myocardium from streptozocin induced diabetic rats treated with lentinan was observed under light microscopy(LM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). Activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) were detected biochemically in myocardial homogenate.RESULTS:Vacuolar degeneration, local lysis of myocardium and interstitial proliferation under LM and expansion of mitochondria, shortening of mitochondrial crest, lysis of myofibril and proliferation of interstitial collogenous fiber under TEM were observed. The activity of SOD decreased and the activity of NOS, the contents of NO, MDA increased, but the morphological change became slight in LNT-treatment group. Activity of SOD increased while activity of NOS and contents of MDA, NO decreased in LNT-treated rats compared with diabetic rats.CONCLUSION:LNT protectes diabetic myocardium, and the anti-lipid peroxidation and decreasing of NO level may be involved in it.