Alterations in extracellular matrix and connexin 43 in the offspring heart from diabetic rats

SATO H, MUSIKANT D, ROBERTI S, JAWERBAUM A, HIGA R

Mar del Plata

Congreso; LXIII Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica; 2018

SAIC

Maternal diabetes leads to the programming of metabolic and cardiovascular alterations in the adult offspring. The pathogenesis of diabetes-induced heart alterations involves remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and deposition of collagen. In this context, the role of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) is relevant. MMP2 overactivation is involved in pathological processes. Besides ECM components, MMP2 is able to cleave intracellular molecules as Connexin 43, main component of the gap junctions and hemichannels in myocytes, affecting the physiological function of the channels. Our objective was to evaluate whether there are alterations in the collagen deposition, MMP2 activity and expression of connexin 43 in the offspring´s heart or diabetic rats. Methodology: Pregestational diabetic rats were obtained by neonatal streptozotocin administration (90 mg/kg) and, at 3 month of age, were mated with healthy males. Heart of male adult offspring of 5 month of age from control and diabetic rats were explanted and left ventricles were store for histological determinations, qRT-PCR and Western blot.Results: mRNA levels of Collagen I and III were increased (2.0 and 3.0 fold respectively, p