Evaluation of globins expression in brain, heart, and lung in rats exposed to side stream cigarette smoke

Barbara Tae1, Kelen Carneiro Oliveira1,2, Rodrigo Rodrigues da Conceição2

  • 1Departament of Morphology and Physiology, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil.

Insights

Side stream cigarette smoke (SSCS) exposure alters gene and protein expression of neuroglobin (Ngb), cytoglobin (Cygb), and myoglobin (Mb) in various rat tissues. These changes indicate a protective response to SSCS-induced toxicity.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Side stream cigarette smoke (SSCS) contributes to smoking-induced toxicity.
  • Globins, including hemoglobin (Hb), myoglobin (Mb), neuroglobin (Ngb), and cytoglobin (Cygb), play roles in oxygen transport, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification, and tissue protection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of SSCS exposure on the gene and protein expression of Ngb, Cygb, and Mb in different tissues.
  • To understand the differential responses of these globins in the central and peripheral tissues.

Main Methods:

  • Rats were exposed to SSCS for varying durations (1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks).
  • Gene and protein expression levels of Ngb, Cygb, and Mb were analyzed in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, myocardium, and lung tissues.

Main Results:

  • Ngb and Cygb gene and protein expression increased in the cerebral cortex after 1 week of SSCS exposure.
  • Ngb expression increased in the hippocampus after 1 week or more of exposure, with no change in Cygb.
  • Mb and Cygb gene expression increased in the myocardium at 1 and 4 weeks, with protein expression increasing from 1 to 4 weeks. Cygb expression also increased in the lung after 2-4 weeks.

Conclusions:

  • SSCS exposure modulates the expression of Ngb, Cygb, and Mb in both central and peripheral tissues.
  • The observed changes in globin expression suggest a potential adaptive or protective mechanism against SSCS-induced toxicity.

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