Fig. 2.

Effects of sinomenine on the expression levels of DRG P2X₃ mRNA and protein in T2DM rats. a The expression levels of DRG P2X₃ mRNA were examined using real-time RT-PCR. The relative values of P2X₃ mRNA expression in the T2DM group were higher compared with those in the control group (p < 0.01, n = 10 for each group). The relative values of P2X₃ mRNA expression in T2DM rats treated with sinomenine were significantly decreased compared with the DM group (p < 0.01, n = 10 for each group). Mean ± SEM, n = 10. **p < 0.01 compared with the control group; ^## p < 0.01 compared with the DM group. b The expression levels of P2X₃ protein in DRG were examined using western blotting analyses. Image analysis revealed that the intensity values (integrated optical density, IOD) of P2X₃ protein expression (normalized to each β-actin internal control) in the DM group were higher compared with those in the control group. The intensity values of P2X₃ protein expression in T2DM rats treated with sinomenine were significantly lower compared with those in the DM group. Mean ± SEM, n = 10. ^** p < 0.01 compared with the control group; ^## p < 0.01 compared with the DM group