“Microscopic image analysis has been my great passion for over 25 years. The observation of the histopathological changes taking place in the new experimental animal models and the drawing of conclusions makes me really happy. I like the smell of the knowledge in the morning and the freedom of having science in my life.”
Marzena completed her Ph.D. in Factors Controlling Growth and Maturation of the Small Intestinal Structure and Function at The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition. Postdoc studies on Hormonal Modulation of Pancreatic Secretion and Different Types of Pancreatitis at the Université de Sherbrooke. Her DVM was completed at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences.
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Type 2 Diabetes Cardiomyopathy
Purpose
Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. Type 2 diabetes cardiomyopathy is one of the major cardiovascular complications independent of coronary artery disease and hypertension. This has led to a ventricular dysfunction with diastolic and systolic issues. The prevalence of which may be as high as 60% even in well-controlled type 2 diabetes patients.
Method
The underlying mechanism of type 2 diabetes is driven by a phenomenon called “lipotoxicity”. The normal heart derives its energy mainly from oxidation of fatty acids (60–70%), glucose (30–40%) and lactate (10%). In contrast, T2DM is accompanied by increased lipolysis, hypertriglyceridemia, and reduced insulin-mediated myocardial glucose uptake and utilization. This results in a shift of myocardial substrate use towards even higher FA utilization leading to hypoxia, endothelial cell dysfunction, apoptosis and increasing heart’s repolarization. Altogether, these modifications generate heart remodeling involved in cardiomyopathy development.
Study outcome
- Changes in left ventricular remodeling and function (Doppler m-Mode)
- Changes in diastolic function (pulsed wave Doppler analyses)
- Changes in systemic arterial pressure (Diastolic, systolic, mean SAP) and heart rate
- Changes in right ventricular pressure (RVP) and blood oxygen saturation
- Body temperature, body weight, weight gain, food intake and feed efficiency
- Blood biomarkers for diabetes (glucose, insulin, lipids profile)
Compliance
Non-GLP compliant. The study is best suited to demonstrate efficacy in discovery-phase preclinical development strategies.
Species
Male Wistar rats
Marzena Biernat
Ph.D., Veterinarian and Histopathologist
