Emerging Environmental Contaminants Targeting Cardiovascular Ion Channels: Exposure Effects, Underlying Mechanisms,...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Toxicology
• Cardiovascular Physiology

Background:

• Emerging contaminants (ECs) are diverse pollutants pervasive in environmental and biological systems.
• ECs pose potential risks to human health, particularly cardiovascular health, by affecting cardiac ion channels.
• The specific impact of ECs on cardiac ion channels and cardiovascular function is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current knowledge on the impact of emerging contaminants on cardiac ion channels.
• To emphasize the effects of ECs on cardiac excitability, contractility, and overall cardiovascular function.
• To identify research gaps and suggest future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Outline the structure and function of cardiac ion channels and their role in cardiac physiology.
• Detail the interactions between typical ECs and cardiac ion channels (sodium, calcium, potassium channels, transporters, and exchangers).
• Analyze studies demonstrating cell-level responses and the influence of pollutant properties on ion channel modulation.

Main Results:

• ECs can directly or indirectly interact with various cardiac ion channels and transporters.
• Pollutant concentration and chemical structure influence the modulation of ion channels by ECs.
• EC exposure can disrupt cardiac ion channels, potentially leading to cardiotoxicity.

Conclusions:

• Emerging contaminants pose a significant threat to cardiovascular health by targeting critical cardiac ion channels.
• Understanding the mechanisms of EC-induced cardiotoxicity is crucial for risk assessment and mitigation.
• Further research is essential to address knowledge gaps and guide future investigations into ECs and cardiovascular health.