The effect of antihypertensive on the expression of TRPC3 and TRPC6 in the aorta in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Objective To investigate whether ramipril, valsartan and anlodipine play a role in expression of transient receptor potential canonical 3 and 6 channel (TRPC3, TRPC6) at the aorta in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods SHRs were randomly divided into four groups: ramipril group (n=6), valsartan group (n=6), amlodipine group (n=6) and no drug group (n=6). Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as control group (n=6). After treated for 4 weeks, the rats were examined for blood pressure, the mRNA expression of TRPC3 and TRPC6 were determined by RT-PCR and the protein level of TRPC3 and TRPC6 by immunohistochemistry and Western Blot. Results TRPC3 and TRPC6 increased in aorta from SHR compared with normotensive WKY rats (p<0.05). In drug groups, the systemic blood pressure and the mRNA and protein expression of TRPC3 decreased (p<0.05), but the expression of TRPC6 had no change. Conclusion In SHR rats, increased expressions of TRPC3, TRPC6 channels mRNA and protein in the vasculature may play a role in elevated blood pressure. Ramipril, valsartan and anlodipine possibly reduced blood pressure partly by inhibition of TRPC3 expression.