Background: Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and left ventricularhypertrophy is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Our aim was to determine the relationshipbetween left ventricular hypertrophy and the total scavenger capacity (TSC) in diabetic rats. Material/Methods:Control animals (n=30) were compared to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (n=38) and diabe-tic ratsreceiving insulin treatment (n=30) for 22 days. Half of the animals received angiotensin II on day 21.The left ventricular mass, TSC and carbohydrate parameters were determined. Results: Diabetes did notalter left ventricular mass; however, diabetes with insulin treatment was associated with left ventricularhypertrophy. The extent of ventricular hypertrophy did not change significantly in this group after angiotensinII treatment. TSC increased very significantly in diabetic rats. These differences remained high whenangiotensin II-treated control rats [CA] were compared with treated diabetic rats [DA] (p

Keywords: Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular - etiology, Angiotensin II - pharmacology, Antioxidants - metabolism, Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - drug therapy, Heart Ventricles - pathology, Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular - etiology, Hypoglycemic Agents - therapeutic use, Insulin - therapeutic use