Chitosan Versus Dapagliflozin in a Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Mouse Model

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder with global economic implications that can lead to complications such as diabetic cardiomyopathy. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of chitosan versus dapagliflozin in mouse diabetic cardiomyopathy. We used 32 C57Bl/6 male mice aged between 8 and 10 weeks, which were randomly divided into Control-without diabetes mellitus (DM), type 1 DM (T1DM), T1DM + Chitosan, and T1DM + Dapapgliflozin groups. We induced diabetes with streptozotocin and treated the animals for 12 weeks. The analysis showed a reduction in intramyocardial fibrosis in the T1DM + Dapapgliflozin compared to T1DM animals. In T1DM + CHIT, a reduction in intramyocardial fibrosis was observed although, accordingly, there was also no significant decrease in blood glucose. The level of oxidative stress was reduced in the groups of treated animals compared to T1DM. All these observed changes in the structure and function of hearts were highlighted in the echocardiographic examination. In the treated groups, there was delayed appearance of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, a slight decrease in the ejection fraction of the LV, and an improved diastolic profile. The results demonstrate that chitosan has promising effects on diabetic cardiomyopathy that are comparable to the beneficial effects of dapagliflozin.