title: Effects of insulin treatment on heart rhythm, body temperature and physical activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat.
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 +/- 0.1C, falling to 37.2 +/- 0.2C 5-15 days after STZ with significant recovery to 37.5 +/- 0.1C 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain. chris.howarth@uaeu.ac.ae
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Howarth
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shafiullah
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adeghate
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D013686:Telemetry
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin