Deteriorated gene expression of selected calcium transporters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic hearts of Wistar rats

Abstract

Abstract Aim: The aim is to identify the possible changes in the expression of genes, that regulate calcium homeostasis in cardiomyocytes in diabetes mellitus. Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomized into two experimental protocols: short-term 5-days streptozotocin-induced diabetes protocol with 20 weeks old animals at the end of the protocol (total N = 20) and long-term 4-weeks protocol with 18 weeks of age at the end of the protocol (total N = 38). 50 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ) was administered in both protocols by a single intraperitoneal injection in 0,1M citrate buffer (pH = 4.5). Control group (CON) received only vehiculum. Gene expressions in samples of left heart ventricle were measured by RT-qPCR method. Results: The expression of SERCA2a in short-term protocol was decreased. In long-term protocol, decreased SERCA2a, TRPC4 and TRPC6 mRNA levels were observed (*p < 0.05). SERCA2a and TRPC4 mRNA levels exhibited statistical monotonic correlation in STZ-treated group in long-term protocol. Conclusions: In diabetes mellitus, the calcium homeostasis in cardiomyocytes is altered and there could be a relation between alteration of internal sarcoplasmatic stores and store-operated calcium entry.