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Reduction of fibrosis in type 2 diabetes by (‐)‐epicatechin (1078.4)
Author(s) -
Peltekian Lila,
Brito Alfonso,
Yamazaki Katrina
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.1078.4
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , fibrosis , diabetes mellitus , connective tissue , type 2 diabetes , streptozotocin , in vivo , contractility , insulin , ctgf , biology , pathology , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , growth factor
Fibrosis is the buildup of connective tissue, mainly collagen, thereby decreasing the contractility and the elasticity of the heart leading to heart failure. In this study we looked at the effects of (‐)‐epicatechin (EPI) on reducing the progression of type 2 diabetes and fibrosis in vivo. Type 2 diabetes was induced by feeding rats a high energy diet (HED) consisting of 10% lard and 20% glucose. After 4 weeks, a low dose streptozotocin (30 mg/kg) was given IP to cause partial dysfunction of pancreatic β‐cells and suppress insulin secretion. Control animals were maintained on normal chow and received an IP injection of vehicle (water). Animals were also treated with EPI (1 mg/kg/day) or water by oral gavage. Results demonstrated that diabetic animals had significant weight gain (~44%) and increased blood glucose levels (519 mg/dL) compared to control (37% and 185 mg/dL, respectively). EPI significantly reduced changes in body weight (~33%) and blood glucose levels (351.2 mg/dL) compared to diabetic animals. Histological analysis showed elevated collagen levels in diabetic hearts compared to control and EPI‐treated animals. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the ability of EPI to reduce body weight, plasma glucose levels and fibrosis in type 2 diabetes. Grant Funding Source : Support provided by CSU‐LSAMP from NSF HRD‐1302873 and Office of the Chancellor.