ABSTRACT
Aim To investigate the alteration of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in early diabetic rat myo-cardium and clarify its role in development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Methods The diabetes mellitus ( DM) model was prepared by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin ( STZ, 60 μg · g-1 ) . The alteration of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. HE staining was used to analyze the change of myocardial pathologi-cal structure. Results Cardiac histological analyses revealed that DM induced cardiomyocyte degeneration and necrosis. Myocardial Wnt2, β-catenin and c-Myc were enhanced in 2 wk DM compared with control group while DKK1 showed no significant alteration. Conclusion Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is acti-vated in early diabetic myocardial injury. Further re-searches on its role in DM myocardium may find a new therapeutic target for diabetic cardiomyopathy.