Indonesian Journal of Cardiology
Development of an Early-Stage Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Rat Model with Early Myocardial Remodeling Induced by HFHF Diet and Low-Dose Streptozotocin
By Susetyo Atmojo, Bambang Budi Siswanto, Nurjati Chairani Siregar and 6 others.
Abstract
Background
Diabetic Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is defined as structural and functional abnormalities of the myocardium occurring in individuals with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in the absence of other conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Establishing a reliable early-stage DCM model is essential for mechanistic studies and therapeutic evaluation. This study aimed to characterize an early-stage DCM model in male Sprague–Dawley rats using a High-Fat High-Fructose (HFHF) diet combined with low-dose Streptozotocin (STZ).
Methods
Twelve male Sprague–Dawley rats (7–8 weeks, 200–250 g) were randomly assigned to three groups (n=4/group): control, HFHF + STZ 25 mg/kg, and HFHF + STZ 40 mg/kg. Rats received an HFHF diet for 12 weeks, followed by intraperitoneal STZ induction. Fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, cardiac echocardiography, serum N-Terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP), and myocardial histopathology were assessed. Data were analyzed using ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis as appropriate.