TRPA1 involvement in autonomic dysfunction in ME?

In my previous blog posts I referred to articles that make it plausible that TRPA1 is involved in the biochemistry of co-morbid ME conditions like Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and inflammation/pain.

But what about autonomic dysfunctions like Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and Orthostatic Intolerance? Is there a connection? Is TRPA1 involved in regulation of the vasculature?

The answer is: YES, TRPA1 and other TRP channels have influence on regulation of the vasculature.

My favorite article today is this one:
Evidence for the pathophysiological relevance of TRPA1 receptors in the cardiovascular system in vivo

The conclusion from this article:
“TRPA1 is involved in mediating vasodilation. TRPA1 can also influence changes in blood pressure of possible relevance to autonomic system reflexes and potentially to vasovagal/neurocardiogenic syncope disorders.”

There are other fine articles describing TRP in the vasculature:

TRPA1 channels in the vasculature

Transient receptor potential channels and vascular function


Cerebral Blood Flow and TRP

We already know that Cerebral Blood Flow is disturbed in ME/CFS patients:

Cerebral blood flow is reduced in chronic fatigue syndrome as assessed by arterial spin labeling

Postural neurocognitive and neuronal activated cerebral blood flow deficits in young chronic fatigue syndrome patients with postural tachycardia syndrome


…and these articles describe the connection between TRP and Cerebral Blood Flow:

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, vascular tone and autoregulation of cerebral blood flow

Endothelium-dependent cerebral artery dilation mediated by TRPA1 and Ca2+-Activated K+ channels


The connection between chemical sensitivity, TRPA1 and cerebral blood flow

TRPA1 receptors mediate environmental irritant-induced meningeal vasodilatation