Journal Article

Insights into the causal role of diesel exhaust particles in ventricular arrhythmogenesis: protective effects of antioxidant cerium oxide nanoparticles

Consegal, Marta, Puntes, Victor, Inserte, Javier, Pomposo, Aitor, Prades-Martínez, Marta, Rodríguez, Cristina, Martínez-González, José, Rodríguez-Sinovas, Antonio, Ganse, Freddy G., Ernst, Lena M., Briones, Ana M., García-Redondo, Ana Belén, Yáñez-Bisbe, Laia, Ferreira-González, Ignacio, Miró-Casas, Elisabet, Benito, Begoña, Ruiz-Meana, Marisol

2025

Overview

Background 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 (CeO 2 NP) as a ROS-detoxifying intervention. Results 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 CeO 2 NP (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. CeO 2 NP 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 CeO 2 NP attenuate these effects, arising as a potential novel strategy to mitigate the deleterious effects of air pollution.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Air pollution / Air pollution effects / Analysis / Animals / Antioxidants / Antioxidants - pharmacology / Arrhythmia / Arrhythmias, Cardiac - chemically induced / Arrhythmias, Cardiac - prevention & control / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biomedicine / Carbon / Cardiac arrhythmia / Cardiac function / Cerium / Cerium - pharmacology / Cerium oxide / Cerium oxides / Chemical contaminants / Collagen / Development and progression / Diesel engines / Diesel motor exhaust gas / Electrical stimuli / Environmental aspects / Environmental Health / Epidemiology / Exposure / Fatalities / Fibrosis / Health aspects / Heart / Heart attacks / Heart failure / Histology / Hydrocarbons / Hypertrophy / Inflammation / Laboratory animals / Long-term effects / Male / Malondialdehyde / Metallic oxides / Nanoparticles / Nanotechnology / Ostomy / Outdoor air quality / Oxidative stress / Oxidative Stress - drug effects / Particulate Matter - toxicity / Pharmacology/Toxicology / Pneumology/Respiratory System / Public Health / Rats / Rats, Sprague-Dawley / Reactive oxygen species / Risk factors / Stainless steel / Tachycardia / Trachea / Vehicle Emissions - toxicity / Ventricle / Ventricular arrhythmias