Disruption of Atrial Rhythmicity by the Air Pollutant 1,2-Naphthoquinone: Role of Beta-Adrenergic and Sensory Receptors
Antonio G. Soares,
Simone A. Teixeira,
Pratish Thakore,
Larissa G. Santos,
Walter dos R. P. Filho,
Vagner R. Antunes,
Marcelo N. Muscará,
Susan D. Brain,
Soraia K. P. Costa
Affiliations
Antonio G. Soares
Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof Lineu Prestes, 1524, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
Simone A. Teixeira
Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof Lineu Prestes, 1524, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
Pratish Thakore
Section of Vascular Biology and Inflammation, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, BHF Cardiovascular Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, London SE1 9NH, UK
Larissa G. Santos
Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof Lineu Prestes, 1524, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
Walter dos R. P. Filho
Fundação Jorge Duprat Figueiredo de Segurança e Medicina do Trabalho, Ministério do Trabalho e Previdência Social, Rua Capote Valente, nº 710, São Paulo 05409-002, SP, Brazil
Vagner R. Antunes
Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof Lineu Prestes, 1524, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
Marcelo N. Muscará
Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof Lineu Prestes, 1524, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
Susan D. Brain
Section of Vascular Biology and Inflammation, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, BHF Cardiovascular Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, London SE1 9NH, UK
Soraia K. P. Costa
Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof Lineu Prestes, 1524, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
The combustion of fossil fuels contributes to air pollution (AP), which was linked to about 8.79 million global deaths in 2018, mainly due to respiratory and cardiovascular-related effects. Among these, particulate air pollution (PM2.5) stands out as a major risk factor for heart health, especially during vulnerable phases. Our prior study showed that premature exposure to 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ), a chemical found in diesel exhaust particles (DEP), exacerbated asthma in adulthood. Moreover, increased concentration of 1,2-NQ contributed to airway inflammation triggered by PM2.5, employing neurogenic pathways related to the up-regulation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). However, the potential impact of early-life exposure to 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ) on atrial fibrillation (AF) has not yet been investigated. This study aims to investigate how inhaling 1,2-NQ in early life affects the autonomic adrenergic system and the role played by TRPV1 in these heart disturbances. C57Bl/6 neonate male mice were exposed to 1,2-NQ (100 nM) or its vehicle at 6, 8, and 10 days of life. Early exposure to 1,2-NQ impairs adrenergic responses in the right atria without markedly affecting cholinergic responses. ECG analysis revealed altered rhythmicity in young mice, suggesting increased sympathetic nervous system activity. Furthermore, 1,2-NQ affected β1-adrenergic receptor agonist-mediated positive chronotropism, which was prevented by metoprolol, a β1 receptor blocker. Capsazepine, a TRPV1 blocker but not a TRPC5 blocker, reversed 1,2-NQ-induced cardiac changes. In conclusion, neonate mice exposure to AP 1,2-NQ results in an elevated risk of developing cardiac adrenergic dysfunction, potentially leading to atrial arrhythmia at a young age.
