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Effects of loud noise exposure on mouse myocardium: a comparison with the rat
Marco Gesi1, Paola Lenzi, Francesco Fornai
1Department of Human Morphology and Applied Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pisa. Via Roma, 55. 56126 Pisa Italy. m.gesi@anist.med.unipi.it
Abstract:
Loud noise is an environmental stressor of everyday life, which affects different organs and apparati, in particular the cardiovascular system. We have already reported that noise exposure produces significant alterations in the rat myocardium, consisting of mitochondrial damage, which is evident as lysis of the cristae and dilution of the matrix. Since there are high similarities between mouse and human species, the aim of our study was to investigate the effects of acute noise exposure on the mouse heart. We found that noise exposure affects mouse myocardium at similar subcellular sites to those already described in the rat; nonetheless, quantitative analysis of the percentage of altered mitochondria in both species disclosed a clear difference between mouse and rat myocardium, which strongly suggests a different sensitivity to noise stimulus. We hypothesize that the species differences on the extent of myocardial alterations here observed might be due to the zonal pattern of cardiac noradrenergic receptors, which should be the final effectors for noise-induced myocardial changes.
Insights
Acute noise exposure damages mouse heart mitochondria, similar to rats, but to a lesser extent. This suggests differing species sensitivity to noise-induced cardiovascular stress.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Environmental Health
- Mitochondrial Biology
Background:
- Loud noise is a common environmental stressor impacting the cardiovascular system.
- Previous studies showed noise exposure causes mitochondrial damage in rat myocardium.
- Mice share significant physiological similarities with humans, making them a relevant model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of acute noise exposure on the mouse heart.
- To compare noise-induced myocardial alterations in mice with previously observed effects in rats.
- To explore potential species-specific differences in sensitivity to noise stress.
Main Methods:
- Acute noise exposure was administered to mice.
- Cardiac tissue (myocardium) was analyzed at the subcellular level.
- Quantitative analysis was performed to compare the percentage of altered mitochondria between species.
Main Results:
- Noise exposure induced subcellular alterations in mouse myocardium, affecting mitochondria similarly to rats.
- Quantitative analysis revealed a lower percentage of altered mitochondria in mice compared to rats.
- This indicates a potentially different sensitivity of mouse myocardium to noise stimulus.
Conclusions:
- Mouse myocardium exhibits susceptibility to acute noise exposure, with mitochondrial damage occurring at similar subcellular sites as in rats.
- Quantitative differences in mitochondrial damage suggest varying species sensitivity to noise-induced cardiovascular stress.
- Differences in myocardial alterations may be linked to the zonal distribution of cardiac noradrenergic receptors, potentially mediating noise effects.