Effects of insulin treatment on heart rhythm, body temperature and physical activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat

F. C. Howarth, M. Jacobson, M. Shafiullah, E. Adeghate

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

1. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy is frequently associated with depressed diastolic/systolic function and altered heart rhythm. 2. The effects of insulin treatment on heart rhythm, body temperature and physical activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats were investigated using biotelemetry techniques. 3. Transmitter devices were surgically implanted in the peritoneal cavity of young adult male Wistar rats. Electrodes from the transmitter were arranged in Einthoven bipolar - Lead II configuration. Electrocardiogram, physical activity and body temperature data were recorded with a telemetry system for 10 days before STZ treatment, for 20 days following administration of STZ (60 mg/kg) and thereafter, for 30 days while rats received daily insulin. 4. Heart rate, physical activity and body temperature declined rapidly 3-5 days after administration of STZ. Pre-STZ heart rate was 362 ± 7 b.p.m., falling to 266 ± 12 b.p.m. 5-15 days after STZ with significant recovery to 303 ± 14 b.p.m. 10-20 days after commencement of insulin. Pre-STZ body temperature was 37.5 ± 0.1°C, falling to 37.2 ± 0.2°C 5-15 days after STZ with significant recovery to 37.5 ± 0.1°C 10-20 days after commencement of insulin. Physical activity and heart rate variability were also reduced after STZ but there was no significant recovery during insulin replacement. 5. Defective autonomic regulation and/or mechanisms of control that are intrinsic to the heart may underlie disturbances in heart rhythm in the STZ-induced diabetic rat.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)327-331
Number of pages5
JournalClinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology
Volume33
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2006

Keywords

  • Body temperature
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Electrocardiogram
  • Heart rate
  • Insulin
  • Physical activity
  • Streptozotocin
  • Telemetry

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Physiology (medical)

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