Transient receptor potential canonical 5 channel is involved in the cardiac damage related to obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in rats.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is recognized as an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease. The release of Ca2+ mediated by transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels participates in the hypoxia-induced pathophysiological changes in the cardiovascular systems in case of OSAHS. This study aimed to investigate which subtypes of TRPCs were involved in OSAHS in a rat model of intermittent hypoxia. Methods: OSAHS was induced by exposure of rats to intermittent hypoxia. The expression of TRPC-related genes and proteins in the cardiomyocytes by qRT-PCR and Western Blotting, respectively. Results: The mRNA expression of TRPC3/TRPC4/TRPC5 increased significantly in OSAHS group compared with the control group (P<0.05). The TRPC5 protein expression was significantly higher in the OSAHS control than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: The TRPC5 channel is likely to be involved in the OSAHS induced pathophysiological changes in the myocardium and may become a target to prevent OSAHS related cardiac damage.