P 22: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids alleviates heart pump function in Type I diabetic cardiomyopathy

• Published in: Diabetes & metabolism Vol. 38; p. S112
• Main Authors: Zhukovska, A, Shysh, A, Dosenko, V, Kuzmenko, M, Moybenko, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Masson SAS 01.11.2012
• Subjects: Endocrinology & Metabolism; Internal Medicine
• ISSN: 1262-3636
• DOI: 10.1016/S1262-3636(12)71602-6

Background and aims The term ““diabetic cardiomyopathy””, which was first proposed by Rubler in 1972 describes myocardial dysfunction in the absence of coronary heart disease, hypertension or heart valve defects. However, from 70s of previous century is known about the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are potent cardioprotectors. Despite the success of diabetology, the mechanisms of omega-3 PUFAs influence on the heart function in diabetes mellitus remains unresolved. In this study we aimed to evaluate the effects of omega-3 PUFAs on cardiac performance in rats with experimental diabetes. Materials and Methods Experiments were fulfilled on male Wistar rats, weighing 140–270 g, who were divided into 3 groups: 1 - control, 2 - rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes (50 mg/kg), 3 - rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, which received 45% of omega-3 PUFAscontaining drug Epadol during 4 weeks. Rats were anesthetized with Urethane, fixed and right carotid artery was preparated. Ultraminiature catheter 2F («Millar Instruments», USA) was injected through the right carotid artery retrograde into the left ventricle. The fatty acids composition in heart homogenates was determined by gas chromatography. Results We demonstrate that omega-3 fatty acid treatment of diabetic rats modifies fatty acid composition of heart by increasing omega-3 PUFAs content. Additionally, supplemented omega-3 fatty acids significantly prevent body and heart weight loss and reduce blood glucose level, induced by streptozotocin. Our data indicates the impairment of the heart pump function in animals with diabetes. We established that cardiac output declined to 36,78% (P<0,05), ejection fraction to 29,12% (P<0,05), stroke volume to 35,65% (P<0,05), stroke work to 70,13% (P<0,05). Omega-3 PUFAs under similar conditions restores pump function - increases ejection fraction at 35,37% (P<0.05), stroke volume at 40,76% (P<0,05), stroke work at 68,02% (P<0,05) and cardiac output at 15,32%. In 2 group of rats diastolic dysfunction was found - the time constants of active relaxation Tau (Weiss) reduced to 50,63% (P<0,05) and Tau (Glantz) to 59,77%, the minimum rate of myocardial relaxation dP/dtmin slightly increased. Effect omega-3 PUFAs on diastolic function is characterized by the increase of Tau (Weiss) to 64,39% (P<0,05) and Tau (Glantz) to 11,32% (P<0,05) and a slight decrease value of dP/dtmin. Omega-3 PUFAs had almost no impact on the maximum rate of pressure increase in dP/dt max under diabetes. Conclusion These novel data indicate that modification of fatty acid composition of cardiac membranes by omega-3 fatty acids prevents the pump, diastolic function alterations induced by streptozotocin. It is assumed that omega-3 PUFAs treatment will lead to a decreased risk of cardiovascular complications in diabetes. These results indicate the prospects of further studies to use omega-3 PUFAs in the treatment of diabetes.