Impaired transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 in streptozotocin-induced diabetic hearts

Little is known about the effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) located in cardiac sensory nerves. This study was performed to test the changes of TRPV1 and its main neuropeptides in diabetic hearts. DM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in C57BL/6J mice. The protein and mRNA expression of TRPV1, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) levels in hearts were measured, respectively. Compared with control mice, blood glucose was significantly increased in diabetic mice (P<0.05), while the protein and mRNA expression of TRPV1, CGRP and SP levels in hearts were essentially reduced in diabetic mice (P<0.05). TRPV1 and its main neuropeptides, CGRP and SP, in hearts were impaired during DM.