Dietary capsaicin normalizes CGRP peptidergic DRG neurons in experimental diabetic peripheral neuropathy

This study investigates the role of CGRP in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). It examines whether CGRP has a neuroprotective effect on peripheral sensory nerves in rats with induced diabetes. The researchers supplemented the diet of diabetic rats with capsaicin, a compound known to upregulate CGRP. They then assessed the impact on nerve function and CGRP levels in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The study also used gene transfection and exogenous CGRP to directly test the effects of CGRP on DRG neurons, focusing on disease-preventing and disease-limiting capabilities.

• 1
  Dietary capsaicin in diabetic rats preserved nociceptive sensation and CGRP levels in the spinal cord and DRG neurons.
• 2
  Transfection of DRG neurons with LV-CGRP reversed the downregulation of CGRP and TRPV1, promoting neuron survival and neurite outgrowth.
• 3
  CGRP induced homeostasis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MMP) in DRG neurons, suggesting a mechanism for its neuroprotective effects.