Differential expression of caveolin-1 and caveolin-3: potential marker for cardiac toxicity subsequent to chronic...

Earlier studies from our laboratory have shown myocardial dysfunction subsequent to chronic O(3) exposure in rats may be associated with a decrease in antioxidant reserve and increased activity of inflammatory mediators. The present study tested the hypothesis that O(3)-induced cardiac dysfunction in healthy adult rats may be due to changes in caveolin-1 and caveolin-3 levels. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed 8 h/day for 28 and 56 days to filtered air or 0.8 ppm O(3). In order to assess the chronic effects to O(3), in vivo cardiac function was assessed by measuring LVDP, 24 h after termination of O(3) exposure. Compared to rats exposed to filtered air, LVDP values significantly decreased in all O(3)-exposed animals. This attenuation of cardiac function was associated with increased myocardial TNF-α levels and decreased myocardial activities of superoxidase dismutase. Progressive increases in the expression of myocardial TNF-α in 28 days and 56 days O(3)-exposed animals were followed by decreases in cardiac caveolin-1 levels. On the other hand, differential changes in the expression of caveolin-3 in hearts from 28 and 56 days O(3)-exposed animals were independent of intra-cardiac TNF-α levels. These novel findings suggest the interesting possibility that a balance between caveolin-1 and caveolin-3 may be involved in O(3)-mediated cardiac toxicity.