Changes of myocardial ultrastructure induced by grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts in STZ diabetic rats

Objective:To observe the effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts(GSPE)on plasma advanced glycation end products(AGEs) and myocardial ultrastructures of streptozotocin(STZ) induced diabetic rats.Methods: Male Wistar rats were subjected to 0.1% STZ through the tail vein to induce diabetics.Then,they were randomly divided into two groups: the diabetic model(DM) group(DM1,n=8)and the GSPE-treatment diabetic group(DM2,n=12,250 mg·kg-1·d-1).Non-diabetic Wistar rats were enrolled in an other two groups: the control group(C1,n=10) and the GSPE-treatment group(C2 group,n=10,250 mg·kg-1·d-1).After 24 weeks,all rats were killed,and the fasting plasma glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin and AGEs were determined.Changes of myocardial ultrastructure were observed by an electronic microscope.Results: Plasma AGEs of DM2 group was lower than that of DM1 group(t=2.792,P=0.02).The myofibrillaes and the chondriosomees were disordered in DM1 group,but changed after the GSPE treatment.Conclusion: GSPE can inhibit nonenzymatic reactions of glycosylation in STZ-induced diabetic rats and protect the myocardial ultra-structure.