Objective: To investigate the protective effect of PPARgamma ligands rosiglitazone on myocardium in diabetic cardiomyopathy of rats.
Methods: The rat model of diabetes was induced by administration of streptozotocin (STZ) for 6 or 10 weeks. In the treatment group the STZ-induced diabetic rats were treated with rosiglitazone. The left ventricular muscle specimens were taken from treatment and control group; then were examined under transmission electron microscope.
Result: Cardiac myofibrils of diabetic rats in control group were obviously fewer and broken. There were fewer and smaller dissolved mitochondria with incomplete membrane and mixed cristae and karyopyknosis. Myocardium of diabetic rats treated with rosiglitazone was markedly improved although their blood glucose levels were still high.
Conclusion: Hyperglycemia can cause destruction of myocardial cell structure. Rosiglitazone has protective effect on myocardial cells of diabetic rats, which seems to be independent of blood glucose levels.