Protective effect of DIZE on heart function of rats with diabetic cardiomyopathy

AIM: To observed the protective effect of diminazene aceturate (DIZE), an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) activator, on rats with diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS: Male Wistar rats (n=30) were randomly divided into normal control group, DCM group and DIZE treatment group (DIZE group). The rats in DCM group and DIZE group were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) to establish diabetic model. After 12 weeks, the diabetic rats were infused with DIZE at 15 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 or the same volume of saline for 4 weeks using osmotic minipump. The cardiac function was measured at the end of the 16th week. The methods of Mason staining and HE staining were used to observe the morphological changes of the myocardial tissue. Western blot, ELISA and immunohistochemistry were used to observe the changes of ACE2, angiotensin (Ang)Ⅱ, Ang-(1-7), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). RESULTS: DIZE significantly improved the expression of ACE2 in diabetic rats (P<0.05). Compared with DCM group, the levels of IL-1 and IL-6 in DIZE group were significantly decreased, and the cardiac function in DIZE group was significantly improved (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: ACE2 endogenous agonist DIZE significantly increases the ACE2 level and reduces the level of inflammation, thus protecting the heart function of DCM rats.