Increased expression of TRPC4 channels associated with erectile dysfunction in diabetes

Summary In recent reports, an association between altered TRPC channel function and the development of various diabetic complications has drawn the attention of many investigators. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of TRPC4 channels of corpus smooth muscle (CSM) cells in diabetes, and to evaluate the association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and altered TRPC4 channel function. The expression of TRPC4 in the penile tissue of human, normal and diabetic rat was investigated using RT‐PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC). In vivo gene transfer of dominant negative (DN) TRPC4 into the CSM of rat was conducted. In vivo pelvic nerve stimulation was performed to measure erectile function. Expression of TRPC1, TRPC3, TRPC4 and TRPC6 in human and rat CSM tissues was confirmed by RT‐PCR, western blot and IHC. In the diabetic rat, the expression levels of mRNA and protein of the TRPC4, and TRPC6 were significantly increased compared to control rats (p