Effect of nicorandil on cardiomyocyte apoptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy rats

Abstract

Objective To research the effect of nicorandil on cardiomyocyte apoptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) rats. Methods Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group A and DCM group B, nicorandil group C and glibenclamide group D. Group A was fed with conventional feed without intervention. Other groups were given measures inducing Insulin resistance by high-fat and high-calorie diet for 6 weeks, and the DCM model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin STZ (low dose streptozocin).After 2 weeks of continuous feeding with high fat and high sugar diet, the group B was given normal saline (4 mg/kg), group C was given nicorandil (10 mg/kg), meanwhile, group D was given glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) for 28 days. Then we anesthetized animals, collected the heart blood, after the specimens of the heart were taken after. Blood glucose and CRP were measured in each group, the expression of caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3 were detected by western blot method, TNF-α in plasma by Elisa. Results compared with group A, the blood glucose level in group B, C and D was significantly higher than that in group A (P 0.05), there was no significant difference in CRP among B, C and D group (P>0.05). Compared with group A, the expression of caspase-3、cleaved caspase-3 and TNF-α in group C and D were significantly higher than that in group A (P 0.05). Compared with group B, the expression in group C was significantly lower than that in group B (P 0.05). Conclusion nicorandil can protect myocardium from apoptosis and has no effect on blood glucose metabolism. Key words: Diabetic cardiomyopathy; Nicorandil; Apoptosis; Caspase3; TNF-α