Impact of diabetes on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and connexin43 gap junction integrity - Role of pharmacological modulation

The integrity of myocardial structures plays a crucial role in signal transductions and cardiac function. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that diabetes mellitus (DM) exerts adverse effects on the integrity of gap junctions (GJs) and induces cellular apoptosis in rat cardiomyocytes that can be abolished by simvastatin or losartan therapy. An experimental model of DM (induced by streptozocin 60 mg/kg body weight) in adult male rats (n = 24) was utilized to investigate the integrity of GJs containing connexin43 (Cx43) and the incidence of cellular apoptosis in the left ventricular myocardium. These rats were divided into 3 groups; group I (insulin therapy only), group It (insulin plus simvastatin 20 mg/kg/day), and group III (insulin plus losartan 20 mg/kg/day). Diabetic rats and 8 healthy rats (group IV) were sacrificed at 3 weeks following DM induction for immunofluorescence analysis. The experimental results demonstrated that the number of intact Cx43 GJs and the integrated area (mu m(2)) constituted by clusters of Cx43 spots were significantly higher in groups 11 and IV than in group 111, and in groups II-IV than in group I (all P values < 0.05). Additionally, the number of apoptotic bodies was remarkably higher in group I than in groups II-IV, and notably higher in groups II-III than in group IV (all P values < 0.05). Simvastatin is more effective than losartan at inhibiting the effects of DM on the integrity of myocardial ultrastructures. Both drugs effectively prevent cellular apoptosis in diabetic rat heart.