Diabetes and cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction: Application of animal models
Received 30 May 2008; received in revised form 17 October 2008; accepted 21 October 2008.
Abstract
When diabetes is associated with cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction, there is a poor prognosis and increased morbidity and mortality. Information on the mechanisms of diabetes-associated autonomic dysfunction has been provided by advanced studies using physiological, pharmacological, anatomical and molecular methods in experimental animal models of insulin deficiency and resistance. This has been augmented by new approaches which combine diabetes induction with genetically modified animal models. The aim of this review is to outline and discuss the animal models used for the study of insulin deficiency and insulin resistance with a focus on autonomic neural interactions. The goal is to better understand the clinical relevance of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction associated with diabetes.
aPharmacology and Toxicology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
bHuman Movement Laboratory, São Judas Tadeu University, São Paulo, Brazil
cHypertension Unit, InCor Heart Institute, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
dPost-Graduation Program of Health Sciences, Institute of Cardiology of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Corresponding author. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, Ohio, 45435, United States. Tel.:+1 937 775 3709; fax: +1 937 775 7221.
ABSTRACT