Alterations in cardiac contraction, intracellular calcium homeostasis and cardiac remodelling in diabetic cardiomyopathy and the effect of triethylenetetramine treatment

Abstract

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is growing rapidly. It is currently estimated to affect around 7% of populations in countries with a western lifestyle. Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. A specific myocardial disease related to diabetes, independent of other risk factors such as hypertension and coronary disease, has been confirmed by a large body of epidemiological and clinical data, and is termed "diabetic cardiomyopathy". To date, the molecular basis of this disease remains controversial. In addition, due to the variety of perturbations in the heart which can occur in diabetes, there is no specific therapeutic strategy for treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy......