Assessing traffic-related air pollution-induced fiber-specific white matter degradation associated with motor performance declines in aged rats

Ting-Chieh Chen; Yu-Chun Lo; Ssu-Ju Li; Yi-Chen Lin; Ching-Wen Chang; Yao-Wen Liang; Vincent laiman; Ta-Chih Hsiao; Hsiao-Chi Chuang; You-Yin Chen

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety (Sep 2023)

Assessing traffic-related air pollution-induced fiber-specific white matter degradation associated with motor performance declines in aged rats

Ting-Chieh Chen,
Yu-Chun Lo,
Ssu-Ju Li,
Yi-Chen Lin,
Ching-Wen Chang,
Yao-Wen Liang,
Vincent laiman,
Ta-Chih Hsiao,
Hsiao-Chi Chuang,
You-Yin Chen

Affiliations

Ting-Chieh Chen: Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 155 Linong St., Section 2, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
Yu-Chun Lo: Ph.D. Program in Medical Neuroscience, Taipei Medical University, Taipei Medical University, No. 250 Wu-Xing St., Taipei 11031, Taiwan
Ssu-Ju Li: Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 155 Linong St., Section 2, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
Yi-Chen Lin: Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 155 Linong St., Section 2, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
Ching-Wen Chang: Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 155 Linong St., Section 2, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
Yao-Wen Liang: Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 155 Linong St., Section 2, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
Vincent laiman: International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Xing St., Taipei 11031, Taiwan; Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada – Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
Ta-Chih Hsiao: Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, 1 Roosevelt Rd., Section 4, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
Hsiao-Chi Chuang: School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Xing St., Taipei 11031, Taiwan; Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, 291 Zhongzheng Rd., Zhonghe Dist., New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan; Cell Physiology and Molecular Image Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, 111 Xinglong Rd., Section 3, Wenshan Dist., Taipei 11696, Taiwan; National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW3 6LY, UK; Corresponding author at: School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Xing St., Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
You-Yin Chen: Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 155 Linong St., Section 2, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program in Medical Neuroscience, Taipei Medical University, Taipei Medical University, No. 250 Wu-Xing St., Taipei 11031, Taiwan; Corresponding author at: Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 155 Linong St., Section 2, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 263
p. 115373

Abstract

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Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is thought to exacerbate Parkinson's disease (PD) in the elderly, and early detection of PD progression may prevent further irreversible damage. Therefore, we used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for probing microstructural changes after late-life chronic traffic-related PM2.5 exposure. Herein, 1.5-year-old Fischer 344 rats were exposed to clean air (control), high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA)-filtered ambient air (HEPA group), and ambient traffic-related PM2.5 (PM2.5 group, 9.933 ± 1.021 µg/m3) for 3 months. Rotarod test, DTI tractographic analysis, and immunohistochemistry were performed in the end of study period. Aged rats exposed to PM2.5 exhibited motor impairment with decreased fractional anisotropy and tyrosine hydroxylase expression in olfactory and nigrostriatal circuits, indicating disrupted white matter integrity and dopaminergic (DA) neuronal loss. Additionally, increased radial diffusivity and lower expression of myelin basic protein in PM2.5 group suggested ageing progression of demyelination exacerbated by PM2.5 exposure. Significant production of tumor necrosis factor-α was also observed after PM2.5 exposure, revealing potential inflammation of injury to multiple fiber tracts of DA pathways. Microstructural changes demonstrated potential links between PM2.5-induced inflammatory white matter demyelination and behavioral performance, with indication of pre-manifestation of DTI-based biomarkers for early detection of PD progression in the elderly.

Published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

ISSN: 0147-6513 (Print); 1090-2414 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Technology: Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering: Environmental pollution; Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/ecotoxicology-and-environmental-safety

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