Diabetes mellitus is associated with a variety of cardiovascular complications including impaired cardiac muscle function. The effects of insulin treatment on heart rate, body temperature and physical activity in the alloxan (ALX)-induced diabetic rat were investigated using in vivo biotelemetry techniques. The electrocardiogram, physical activity and body temperature were recorded in vivo with a biotelemetry sy stem for 10 days before ALX treatment, for 20 days following administration of ALX (120 mg/kg) and thereafter, for 15 days whilst rats received daily insulin. Heart rate declined rapi dly after administration of ALX. Pre-ALX heart rate was 321 ± 9 beats per minute, falling to 285 ± 12 beats per minute 15-20 days after ALX and recovering to 331±10 beats per minute 5-10 days after commencement of insulin. Heart rate variabilit y declined and PQ, QRS and QT intervals were prolonged after administration of ALX. Physical activity and body temperature declined after administration of ALX. Pre-ALX body temperature was 37.6 ± 0.1 °C, falling to 37.3 ± 0.1 °C 15-20 days after ALX an d recovering to 37.8±0.1 °C 5-10 days after commencement insulin. ALX-induced diabetes is associated with disturbances in heart rhythm, physical activity and body temperature that are variously affected during insulin treatment., F. C. Howarth ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy