Nanomaterials (Sep 2021)

ZnO Nanoparticles Induce Dyslipidemia and Atherosclerotic Lesions Leading to Changes in Vascular Contractility and Cannabinoid Receptors Expression as Well as Increased Blood Pressure

  • Adriana Ceballos-Gutiérrez,
  • Alejandrina Rodríguez-Hernández,
  • María del Rosario Álvarez-Valadez,
  • Saraí Limón-Miranda,
  • Felipa Andrade,
  • Alejandro Figueroa-Gutiérrez,
  • Irene Díaz-Reval,
  • Alejandro Apolinar-Iribe,
  • Luis Castro-Sánchez,
  • Javier Alamilla,
  • Enrique Sánchez-Pastor,
  • Adolfo Virgen-Ortiz

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11092319
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 9
p. 2319

Abstract

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ZnO nanoparticles (ZnONPs) have been shown to have therapeutic potential in some diseases such as diabetes and cancer. However, concentration-dependent adverse effects have also been reported. Studies which evaluate the effects of ZnONPs on the cardiovascular system are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular effects of a low dose of ZnONPs administered chronically in healthy rats. Changes in dyslipidemia biomarkers, blood pressure, aortic wall structure, vascular contractility, and expression of cannabinoid receptors in the aorta wall were evaluated. Healthy rats were divided into two groups: control or treated (one, two, and three months). The treated rats received an oral dose of 10 mg/kg/day. The results showed that treatment with ZnONPs induced dyslipidemia from the first month, increasing atherosclerosis risk, which was confirmed by presence of atherosclerotic alterations revealed by aorta histological analysis. In in vitro assays, ZnONPs modified the aorta contractile activity in response to the activation of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). The expression of CB1 and CB2 was modified as well. Moreover, ZnONPs elicited an increase in blood pressure. In conclusion, long-time oral administration of ZnONPs induce dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis eliciting alterations in aorta contractility, CB1 and CB2 receptors expression, and an increase in blood pressure in healthy rats.

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