Possible Protective Role of Citrate Against Apoptosis and Disruption of Intercalated Disc Integrity in a Rat Model of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Abstract Background: Cardiac apoptosis and disruption of interca-lated disc integrity had been described as adverse changes complicating diabetes. Aim of Study: To investigate possible prophylactic role of citrate against these adverse cardiac changes. Material an Methods: Twenty four rats were utilized in this research, randomly divided into 4 groups (6 for each): Control group (I), citrate alone received group (II) (5µg/kg sodium citrate every other day IP), Streptozocin-induced diabetic group (III) (Strepyozocin single IP injection of 50 mg/kg), citrate prophylactic (citrate injections after induction of diabetes) group (IV). All rats were euthanized 8 weeks from the onset of the experiment. The heart with all its chambers were obtained, cardiac malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were measured, heart sections were processesd for histological and immunohistochemical (caspase 3, desmin and connexin 43) analysis. Results: Citrate had significantly p<0.05 modulated cardiac (MDA) and (GSH) as compared to diabetic rats. It had reduced the histological deleterious effect of diabetes on heart tissues. caspase 3 immunoreaction optical density had been signifi-cantly p<0.05 decreased in citrate prophylactic group as compared to diabetic group. Desmin and connexin 43 immu-noreaction optical density had significantly increased in citrate prophylactic group as compared to diabetic group. Conclusion: Citrate might mitigate cardiac apoptosis in diabetic rats and might maintain the integrity of intercalated discs.