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Cardiovascular Diabetology
Published in: Cardiovascular Diabetology 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Original investigation

Electrocardiographic changes with the onset of diabetes and the impact of aerobic exercise training in the Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rat

Authors: Lisa VanHoose, Youssef Sawers, Rajprasad Loganathan, James L Vacek, Lisa Stehno-Bittel, Lesya Novikova, Muhammed Al-Jarrah, Irina V Smirnova

Published in: Cardiovascular Diabetology | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

Early markers of diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN) in an electrocardiogram (ECG) include elevated R wave amplitudes, widening of QTc intervals and decreased heart rate variability (HRV). The severity of DAN has a direct relationship with mortality risk. Aerobic exercise training is a common recommendation for the delay and possible reversal of cardiac dysfunction. Limited research exists on ECG measures for the evaluation of aerobic exercise training in Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rat, a model of type 2 diabetes. The objective of this study was to assess whether aerobic exercise training may attenuate diabetes induced ECG changes.

Methods

Male ZDF (obese fa/fa) and control Zucker (lean fa/+) rats were assigned to 4 groups: sedentary control (SC), sedentary diabetic (SD), exercised control (EC) and exercised diabetic (ED). The exercised groups began 7 weeks of treadmill training after the development of diabetes in the ED group. Baseline (prior to the training) and termination measurements included body weight, heart weight, blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels and ECG parameters. One way repeated measures ANOVA (group) analyzed within and between subject differences and interactions. Pearson coefficients and descriptive statistics described variable relationships and animal characteristics.

Results

Diabetes caused crucial changes in R wave amplitudes (p < 0.001), heart rate variability (p < 0.01), QT intervals (p < 0.001) and QTc intervals (p < 0.001). R wave amplitude augmentation in SD rats from baseline to termination was ameliorated by exercise, resulting in R wave amplitude changes in ED animals similar to control rats. Aerobic exercise training neither attenuated QT or QTc interval prolongation nor restored decreases in HRV in diabetic rats.

Conclusion

This study revealed alterations in R wave amplitudes, HRV, QT and QTc intervals in ZDF rats. Of these changes, aerobic exercise training was able to correct R wave amplitude changes. In addition, exercise has beneficial effect in this diabetic rat model in regards to ECG correlates of left ventricular mass.
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Metadata
Title
Electrocardiographic changes with the onset of diabetes and the impact of aerobic exercise training in the Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rat
Authors
Lisa VanHoose
Youssef Sawers
Rajprasad Loganathan
James L Vacek
Lisa Stehno-Bittel
Lesya Novikova
Muhammed Al-Jarrah
Irina V Smirnova
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Cardiovascular Diabetology / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1475-2840
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2840-9-56

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