Effect of Xuefuzhuyu decoction on cardiomyopathy in type 2 diabetic rats

AIM: To observe the pathologic changes of cardiomyopathy in type 2 diabetic rats and the therapeutic effect of Xuefuzhuyu decoction.METHODS: The diabetic model was established by feeding the animals with high-fat diet and injecting a middle dose of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally in 42 Wistar male rats. After 8 weeks, the damage of the heart in the model animals was detected by electrocardiogram and echocardiography, and the serum level of glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride were determined by the methods of clinical chemistry. The content of collagen was quantified by Masson staining. The apoptosis of cardiomyocytes was measured by TUNEL apoptosis kit. The structures of myocardial damage were observed under light and electronic microscopes.RESULTS: (1) Compared with normal group at the same time points, the contents of serum glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol in model group increased (P<0.05). At the 11th and 14th weeks, the thickness of LVDS was significantly increased (P<0.01), the structure of myocardial tissues was severely damaged and collagen fiber content increased obviously (P<0.01). The cell apoptosis was also increased. (2) Compared with control group at the same time points, the contents of serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride in Xuefuzhuyu decoction group significantly decreased (P<0.05). The thickness of LVDS at the 11th and 14th weeks was decreased (P<0.05) and LVM at the 14th week became significantly thinner (P<0.01). The damage of the myocardium and subcellular structure was slighter and the content of collagen was lower than that in control group (P<0.05). The cell apoptosis was also attenuated.CONCLUSION: The levels of blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride and the content of collagen fibers increase when diabetic cardiomyopathy develops, with more cell apoptosis and severe damage in the cardiac structure. Xuefuzhuyu decoction decreases the level of blood lipid in diabetic cardiomyopathy, alleviates the pathological changes of myocardial fibrosis and delays the progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy.