Streptozotocin induces G2 arrest in skeletal muscle myoblasts and impairs muscle growth in vivo

Streptozotocin (STZ) is used extensively to induce pancreatic beta-cell death and ultimately diabetes mellitus in animal models. However, the direct effects of STZ on muscle are largely unknown. To delineate the effects of STZ from the effects of hypoinsulinemia/hyperglycemia, we injected young rats with 1) saline (control), 2) STZ (120 mg/kg) or 3) STZ and insulin (STZ-INS; to maintain euglycemia). STZ rats demonstrated significantly elevated …