Type 2 diabetes disrupts T-tubule and RyR2 organization in male but not in female rat ventricular muscle

American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology 2026

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Authors: Maryam Rahmani, Andrew James Taberner, Kenneth Tran, David J. Crossman, June‐Chiew Han
DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00664.2025
Cited by: 1
References: 74

Abstract

This study reveals sex-specific cardiac structural alterations of subcellular excitation-contraction coupling proteins in type 2 diabetic rats. Specifically, diabetic males showed evidence of reduced T-tubule area, enlarged RyR2 cluster, and increased calcium release unit density, but without macroscopic functional impairment. In contrast, diabetic females showed no such cardiac structural alterations, suggesting potential resilience mechanisms. These findings highlight that subcellular structural alterations precede functional decline and may underlie sex differences in diabetic cardiovascular outcomes.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias Cardiomyopathy and Myosin Studies Cardiovascular Function and Risk Factors

Publication details

Journal / source
American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Volume
330
Issue
4
Pages
H1048–H1064
Publication date
21 February 2026
Language
EN