phosphorylated connexin 43 protein level changes in the experimental diabetic rat's thoracic aorta

abstract a cardiovascular problem is one of the common complications of diabetes. connexin is the predominant protein subunit in gap junction structure which is important in communication between cells. considering the role of connexin, this question can be created in the mind whether changes in phosphorylated connexin 43 occurs in diabetics thoracic aorta or not? 20 male wistar rats (30050g) were randomly divided into two groups (n=10): control and diabetic group. diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). after 60-days, rats were anaesthetized and then thoracic aorta was isolated and immediately freeze, at the end phosphorylated connexin 43 levels were measured by elisa method. in this study, a significant increase in the level of connexin 43 is observed in the diabetic group (p<0.05). increased phosphorylated connexin 43 levels and downregulation of it, with the loss of cell communication through gap junction and induction of apoptosis, can be one cause of cardiovascular problems in diabetes patients.