Abstract
BackgroundExposure to small size particulate matter in urban air is regarded as a risk factor for cardiovascular effects, whereas there is little information about the impact on the cardiovascular system by exposure to pure carbonaceous materials in the nano-size range. C60 fullerenes are nano-sized particles that are expected to have a widespread use, including cosmetics and medicines.MethodsWe investigated the association between intraperitoneal injection of pristine C60 fullerenes and vasomotor dysfunction in the aorta of 11–13 and 40–42 weeks old apolipoprotein E knockout mice (apoE-/-) with different degree of atherosclerosis.ResultsThe aged apoE-/-mice had lower endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation elicited by acetylcholine in aorta segments mounted in myographs and the phenylephrine-dependent vasoconstriction response was increased. One hour after an intraperitoneal injection of 0.05 or 0.5 mg/kg of C60 fullerenes, the young apoE-/- mice had slightly reduced maximal endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation. A similar tendency was observed in the old apoE-/- mice. Hampered endothelium-independent vasorelaxation was also observed as slightly increased EC50 of sodium nitroprusside-induced vasorelaxation response in young apoE-/- mice.ConclusionTreatment with C60 fullerenes affected mainly the response to vasorelaxation in young apoE-/- mice, whereas the vasomotor dysfunction in old apoE-/- mice with more advanced atherosclerosis was less affected by acute C60 fullerene treatment. These findings represent an important step in the hazard characterization of C60 fullerenes by showing that intraperitoneal administration is associated with a moderate decrease in the vascular function of mice with atherosclerosis.
Highlights
Exposure to small size particulate matter in urban air is regarded as a risk factor for cardiovascular effects, whereas there is little information about the impact on the cardiovascular system by exposure to pure carbonaceous materials in the nano-size range
We have shown that systemic exposure to diesel exhaust particles by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection reduced acetylcholine-elicited vasorelaxation in apolipoprotein E (apoE)-/- mice with minimum atherosclerosis, whereas opposite effects were seen in wild type mice [16]
The primary aim of the study was to investigate the effect of C60 fullerenes at different stages of atherosclerosis by using apoE-/- mice with different age
Summary
Exposure to small size particulate matter in urban air is regarded as a risk factor for cardiovascular effects, whereas there is little information about the impact on the cardiovascular system by exposure to pure carbonaceous materials in the nano-size range. C60 fullerenes are nanosized particles that are expected to have a widespread use, including cosmetics and medicines. In keeping with the notion that exposure to particulate matter in air pollution is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, engineered nanomaterials are expected to generate similar effects [3]. Pulmonary exposure to nano-sized carbon black is associated with accelerated plaque area development in the aorta of low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice that are predisposed to atherosclerosis [9]. Studies relating exposure to particulate matter by exposure to air pollution or diesel exhaust particles have shown increased area of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta of Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits [10,11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
