Maternal-engineered nanomaterial exposure disrupts progeny cardiac function and bioenergetics

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Nanomaterial production and applications are increasing.
• The health impacts of nanomaterial exposure are not fully understood.
• Gestational exposure to nanoparticles may affect developmental health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if gestational exposure to nano-sized titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) affects cardiac and metabolic function in developing offspring.
• To evaluate physiological and bioenergetic effects on heart function and cardiomyocytes at fetal, neonatal, and young adult stages.

Main Methods:

• Pregnant rats were exposed to nano-TiO2 aerosols during gestation.
• Cardiac function was assessed using echocardiography and speckle-tracking strain.
• Cardiomyocyte contractility and mitochondrial energetics were analyzed.
• Electron transport chain complex activities were measured.

Main Results:

• Offspring from exposed mothers showed decreased E- and A-wave velocities and impaired cardiomyocyte contractility.
• Mitochondrial analysis revealed increased proton leak and reduced respiration across all ages.
• Electron transport chain complexes I and IV activities were negatively impacted.
• Molecular data indicated increased fatty acid metabolism and cellular stress.

Conclusions:

• Gestational nano-TiO2 exposure significantly impairs offspring cardiac function through cardiomyocyte impairment and mitochondrial dysfunction.
• These effects are linked to altered cardiac metabolism and cellular stress.
• Maternal nano-TiO2 inhalation contributes to adverse cardiovascular health effects persisting into adulthood.