title: Environmentally persistent free radicals decrease cardiac function and increase pulmonary artery pressure.
abstract: Epidemiological studies have consistently linked inhalation of particulate matter (PM) to increased cardiac morbidity and mortality, especially in at risk populations. However, few studies have examined the effect of PM on baseline cardiac function in otherwise healthy individuals. In addition, airborne PM contain environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFR) capable of redox cycling in biological systems. The purpose of this study was to determine whether nose-only inhalation of EPFRs (20 min/day for 7 days) could decrease baseline left ventricular function in healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats. The model EPFR tested was 1,2-dichlorobenzene chemisorbed to 0.2-μm-diameter silica/CuO particles at 230°C (DCB230). Inhalation of vehicle or silica particles served as controls. Twenty-four hours after the last exposure, rats were anesthetized (isoflurane) and ventilated (3 l/min), and left ventricular function was assessed using pressure-volume catheters. Compared with controls, inhalation of DCB230 significantly decreased baseline stroke volume, cardiac output, and stroke work. End-diastolic volume and end-diastolic pressure were also significantly reduced; however, ventricular contractility and relaxation were not changed. DCB230 also significantly increased pulmonary arterial pressure and produced hyperplasia in small pulmonary arteries. Plasma levels of C-reactive protein were significantly increased by exposure to DCB230, as were levels of heme oxygenase-1 and SOD2 in the left ventricle. Together, these data show that inhalation of EPFRs, but not silica particles, decreases baseline cardiac function in healthy rats by decreasing cardiac filling, secondary to increased pulmonary resistance. These EPFRs also produced systemic inflammation and increased oxidative stress markers in the left ventricle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mahne
authors.forename: Gin C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pankey
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kiruri
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kadowitz
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dellinger
authors.forename: Kurt J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Varner
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002722:Chlorobenzenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002722:Chlorobenzenes; D005609:Free Radicals; D052638:Particulate Matter; C004726:2-dichlorobenzene; D002097:C-Reactive Protein