Air pollution induces morpho-functional, biochemical and biomechanical vascular dysfunction in undernourished rats

Air pollution (gases and particulate matter -PM) and child undernutrition are globally recognized stressors with significant consequences. PM and its components breach the respiratory alveolar-capillary barrier, entering the vasculature transporting not only harmful particles and its mediators but, altering vascular paracrine and autocrine functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Residual Oil Fly Ash (ROFA), on the vasculature of young animals with nutritional growth retardation (NGR). Weanling rats were fed a diet restricted 20% (NGR) compared to ad libitum intake (control-C) for 4 weeks. Rats were intranasally instilled with 1 mg/kg BW of ROFA. After 24h exposure, histological and immunohistochemical, biochemical and contractile response to NA/ACh were evaluated in aortas. ROFA induced changes in the tunica media of the aorta in all groups regarding thickness, muscular cells and expression of Connexin-43. ROFA increased TGF-β1 and decreased eNOs levels and calcium channels in C and NGR animals. An increment in cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 was observed in C, with no changes in NGR. ROFA exposure altered the vascular contractile capacity. In conclusion, ROFA exposure could increase the risk for CVD through the alteration of vascular biochemical parameters, a possible step of the endothelial dysfunction.