Role of tissue transglutaminase in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy and the intervention effect of rutin

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of tissue transglutaminase (tTG) in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) and the intervention effect of rutin. DCM was induced in rats by the injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 25 mg/kg). After a preliminary examination, the rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control (n=8), STZ-induced DCM (n=8), STZ + positive drug (captopril; n=6) and STZ + rutin (n=8) groups. The DCM model was evaluated using blood sugar values, serum enzyme levels, hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson’s staining, ex vivo. The protein and mRNA expression of tTG was assessed with immunohistochemistry, western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The rat model of DCM was successfully established by STZ administration, and the expression levels of tTG were significantly increased in the DCM model. Following the injection of captopril or rutin, the blood sugar values, collagen content and expression levels of tTG were gradually reduced and serum enzyme levels were increased, as compared with those in the STZ-induced DCM group. In conclusion, tTG plays an important role in STZ-induced DCM. In addition, rutin may inhibit the expression of tTG and regulate myocardial injury in STZ-induced DCM.