This study examined the downstream signaling whereby hyperglycemia may lead to myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis in the left ventricle of diabetic rats. The effects of sulfurous mineral water or sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) as possible modulators were also examined. Sulfurous mineral water (as drinking water) and NaHS (14μmol/kg/day, IP) were administered for 7 week to rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Hyperglycemia, overproduction of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and serum decline in insulin, C-peptide and insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I) were observed in diabetic rats. Up-regulation of gene expressions of nuclear factor (NF-κB), profibrogenic growth factor such as transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), matrix metalloproteniase-2 (MMP-2), procollagen-1 and Fas ligand (Fas-L) were observed in the left ventricle of diabetic rats. A linear positive correlation between TGF-β1 and MMP-2 was also detected in diabetic group. An increase in hydroxyproline level and a disturbance in oxidative balance were detected in heart of diabetic rats. Sulfurous mineral water and NaHS treatment possibly, by improving cardiac GSH level, counteracted the enhanced expression of NF-κB, the profibrogenic and apoptotic parameters. Histopathological examination was in accordance with the biochemical and molecular findings of this study. We suggest a novel therapeutic approach of sulfurous mineral water and exogenous supplementation of H(2)S in diabetic cardiomyopathy.
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