SO(2) inhalation modulates the expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic genes in rat heart and lung

J Hazard Mater. 2011 Jan 15;185(1):482-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.09.057. Epub 2010 Sep 24.

Abstract

SO(2) is a common air pollutant, and human exposure to SO(2) has become increasingly widespread due to the combustion of fossil fuels. The epidemiological studies have linked SO(2) exposure not only with many respiratory responses, but also with cardiovascular diseases. Also, its possible toxicity has been implicated by determining oxidative stress, DNA damage and membrane channel alteration in rat heart and lung. However, its detailed mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, rats were treated with 7, 14 and 28 mg/m(3) SO(2) for 6h/day for 7 days, and the mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, iNOS, ICAM-1, Bax and Bcl-2 and subsequent insults were determined in the heart and lung. The results indicate that SO(2) inhalation markedly elevated TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA levels and secretions, enhanced iNOS and ICAM-1 mRNA levels and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in a concentration-dependent manner, and induced occurrence of apoptosis. This suggests that SO(2) inhalation induced an inflammatory response and subsequent insults via modulating pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic genes in the heart and lung, which contributed to the increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / genetics
  • Coloring Agents
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Heart / drug effects*
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / biosynthesis
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / genetics
  • Interleukin-1beta / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-1beta / genetics
  • Lung / drug effects*
  • Lung / metabolism*
  • Lung / pathology
  • Male
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / biosynthesis
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / biosynthesis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sulfur Dioxide / administration & dosage
  • Sulfur Dioxide / toxicity*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / biosynthesis
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / genetics

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Coloring Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • Sulfur Dioxide
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II