Biomechanical changes in connective tissues induced by experimental diabetes.
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.
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
D003094:Collagen