title: Biomechanical changes in connective tissues induced by experimental diabetes.
abstract: The biomechanical properties of skin and aorta were studied in rats with experimental (streptozotocin) diabetes. After 30 days of diabetes the collagen content of the skin was diminished by 30%. By biomechanical testing collagen from diabetic rats was found to exhibit increased stiffness and strength: maximal stiffness was increased by 20% and the strain at maximum stress was decreased by 10%. Insulin treatment prevented all changes. No differences were found between aortic specimens from diabetic and normal rats.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000378:metabolism; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen