Transmission Electron Microscopic (TEM) analysis of STZ-diabetes induced Cardiac Structural changes in Rats.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health crisis, imposing a substantial burden on both healthcare systems and individuals due to its chronic nature and associated complications. Among these complications, cardiovascular diseases rank as the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in people with diabetes. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), a distinctive form of heart disease, is characterized by structural and functional abnormalities within the heart, independent of conventional cardiovascular risk factors. The multifaceted pathophysiology of DCM involves factors like hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, altered myocardial metabolism, and fibrosis, collectively leading to cardiac tissue structural changes and impaired function. Streptozotocin (STZ), a compound derived from Streptomyces achromogenes, is commonly used to induce diabetes in animal models, particularly rodents, making it a valuable tool for simulating diabetes in laboratory settings. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) provides a powerful means to investigate ultrastructural changes within cardiac tissues at the microscopic level, encompassing myofibrillar structure, mitochondrial integrity, sarcoplasmic reticulum, and interstitial components. Figure-1 illustrates the pathological changes caused by STZ-induced diabetes in experimental animals, showing structural alterations in cardiac and brain tissues. Notably, the use of a polyherbal extract containing Curcuma amada rhizome and Sida spinosa leaves appears to mitigate some of the detrimental effects of STZ-induced diabetes on cardiac cells, suggesting potential protective benefits.