Fig. 1

General characteristics of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) and control (Ctrl) rats. a Random blood glucose levels (n = 22 to 23 rats for each group). b Body weight levels (n = 21 to 23 rats for each group). c Cross (c1) and longitudinal (c2) sections of heart tissues were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E). LV myocyte cross-sectional area was increased in DCM rats in comparison to that in the control group. Bar 30 μm. d Masson’s trichrome staining showed cardiac interstitial and perivascular fibrosis in DCM rats. Bar 30 μm. e Perivascular collagen area to lumen area ratio (PVCA/LA) for quantification of Masson’s trichrome staining. Three randomly selected fields from each rat myocardial tissue under ×400 magnification were analyzed using NIH image software (n = 5 rats for each group). f Heart weight to body weight ratio (HW/BW, n = 22 rats for each group). g–m Echocardiographic findings of heart in Ctrl and DCM groups (n = 15 rats for each group). Values are mean ± SD. *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01 versus Ctrl by two-way ANOVA. g Representative images of M-mode echocardiograms. h Diastolic interventricular septal wall thickness (IVSd). i Left ventricular posterior wall thickness in diastole (LVPWd). j Left ventricular internal dimension in diastole (LVIDd). k Left ventricular internal dimension in systole (LVIDs). l Fractional shortening (FS %). m Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF %). n–p The hemodynamic parameters of heart in DCM and Ctrl groups (n = 11 rats for each group). n Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP). o Maximal rate of rise in LV pressure (+dP/dt). p Maximal rate of decline in LV pressure (−dP/dt). Data are presented as mean ± SD. * P < 0.05 and ** P < 0.01 versus Ctrl