Insights into the causal role of diesel exhaust particles in ventricular arrhythmogenesis
Epidemiological studies suggest an association between air pollution and ventricular arrhythmias, with reactive oxygen species (ROS) playing a crucial role. However, the causal relationship and long-term effects remain uncertain, and the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing ROS requires...
| Autores: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2025 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona |
| Repositorio: | Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:dnet:uabarcelona_::2d299ebe4c3533bfeae042483c362541 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://ddd.uab.cat/record/327153 https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1186/s12989-025-00649-2 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Air pollution Ventricular arrhythmias Oxidative stress Fibrosis Cerium oxide |
| Sumario: | Epidemiological studies suggest an association between air pollution and ventricular arrhythmias, with reactive oxygen species (ROS) playing a crucial role. However, the causal relationship and long-term effects remain uncertain, and the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing ROS requires further investigation. Here we aimed to evaluate the effects of a 3-weeks exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) on ventricular arrhythmogenesis, explore the underlying mechanisms, and assess the potential of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeONP) as a ROS-detoxifying intervention. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent intratracheal instillation of saline without or with DEPs (7.5 g/Kg for 1-3 weeks). Ventricular arrhythmia inducibility was then assessed in isolated hearts using a protocol of programmed electrical stimulation. Cardiac hypertrophy, collagen content, inflammation and oxidative stress were analyzed using histology, Western blot, RT-qPCR, and measurement of malondialdehyde content. The potential protective effects of CeONP (0.5 mg/Kg/week, i.p.) were also tested. DEP exposure for 3 weeks increased the incidence and duration of sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTs), a finding that correlated with a moderate increase in interstitial collagen (from 3.11 ± 0.12% in controls to 4.80 ± 0.21% in DEP-exposed rats, p. < 0.001), and an early upregulation in the expression of collagen and other fibrotic and inflammatory markers. These effects associated with prolonged QRS complex and enhanced malondialdehyde content (356.7 ± 21.2 vs. 455.3 ± 17.2 μmol/g tissue, p = 0.0066) after 3 weeks. CeO2NP treatment reduced oxidative stress and myocardial fibrosis, reversed electrocardiographic changes and attenuated DEP-induced pro-arrhythmic effects. Conclusions: DEP exposure increases the incidence and duration of sustained VTs, collagen deposition and oxidative stress in rats. Treatment with CeO2NP attenuate these effects, arising as a potential novel strategy to mitigate the deleterious effects of air pollution. |
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