Transient receptor potential anykrin 1 (TRPA1) is a member of the TRP superfamily, representing the sole member of the TRPA subfamily. It has many identified endogenous and exogenous agonists, comprising largely of chemical irritants and products of oxidative stress. Classically located on sensory neurone endings, TRPA1 has developed a strong presence in pain and inflammatory studies, where it is now becoming an intriguing clinical drug target. TRPA1 is increasingly recognized in a growing number of neuronal and non-neuronal locations with expanding expression and activity profiles providing evidence of a role for TRPA1 in other systems. Interest in discovering the pharmacological and functional roles of TRPA1 is increasing and diversifying into many areas. Historically, compounds now known as TRPA1 agonists have demonstrated cardiovascular activity, modulating activities in both the heart and the vasculature. Now TRPA1 has been identified as the receptor via which these compounds can act, these studies are being revisited and expanded on using current techniques. It is therefore timely to review the current knowledge of TRPA1 receptor presence and activities of relevance to the cardiovascular system, summarizing findings to date and identifying potential areas for future investigation.

Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1: emerging pharmacology and indications for cardiovascular biology

‘Investigating the role of TRPA1 in cardiovascular regulation’, NYAS meeting, “Animal Models and Their Value in Predicting Drug Efficacy and Toxicity”, New York Sept 2011 POSTER ‘Investigating the role of TRPA1 in cardiovascular regulation’, Kings College Graduate Showcase, Kings College London, June 2011, POSTER

Investigating the role of Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin One (TRPA1) in cardiovascular regulation

30 rats were divided into 3 groups to study the effects of erucic-acid-rich mustard oil (MO) and MO plus fish oil and carnitine (MOFOC) diet as compared to groundnut oil (GNO) diet on the collagen biosynthesis in various tissues. Changes in collagen content and monoamine oxidase (MAO) of hearts, aorta, skeletal muscles, lungs and skin were determined after 24, 60 and 80 days of feeding, respectively. Incorporation of U-14C-proline into collagen of these tissues was also studied. MO diets increased the incorporation of U-14C-proline into total and acid-insoluble collagen in heart, skeletal muscles and lungs but this increase was of lower magnitude in heart and skeletal muscles as compared with MOFOC diet. Total and acid-insoluble collagen contents in all these tissues, except skin, were increased by MO diet and MOFOC diet retarded this increase. Similar trends were observed in the activities of MAO. The results suggest that the MO diet increases both the biosynthesis and maturation of collagen and MOFOC diet retards this trend. The response of various tissues being variable in this respect.

L. K. Romana

Papers

Effects of feeding mustard oil diets on the collagen biosynthesis in various tissues of male rats.