Protective effects of Vitamin E on cardiovascular damage in rats caused by ambient PM_2.5 acute infections

ObjectiveTo explore the intervention of vitamin E on PM_2.5-induced cardiovascular damage in rats.

MethodsThirty-six SPF male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups including coin oil control group(solvent control group), vitamin E control group, fine particulate matter exposure group(8.0 mg/kg·bw), VE groups with PM_2.5 exposure (the low, middle, high experimental dose were 15.0, 30.0, 60.0 mg/kg.bw). Each experimental group was exposed to an intra-tracheal instillation for 3 times after 28 days lavage in addition to vitamin E high-dose control group and solvent group. Twenty four hours after the last exposure, the rats were sacrificed and serum was collected, then were measured the ingredients changesBeta 1-beta interleukins (IL-1β), interleukin 6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), high sensitive C-reaction protein(HS-CRP), Glutathione(GSH), Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), Malondialdehyde(MDA), Superoxide dismutase(T-SOD), NO, Endothelin-1(ET-1) and Connexin 43(Cx43).

ResultsCompared with solvent group(68.73±6.21)μg/L, (15.86±0.45)μg/L, (41.12±7.66)μg/L, (1.29±0.26)μg/L, (15.30±2.52)μmol/L, (492.29±28.28), (10.19±0.74)μmol/L, (272.98±8.59)U/mL, (3.22±0.22)μmol/L, (0.28±0.021) μg/L and (0.42±0.04)μg/L respectively, the content of IL-1β(1 155.98±100.28 μg/L), IL-6(24.94±2.06 μg/L), TNF-α(821.45±14.26 μg/L), HS-CRP(3.10±0.28 μg/L), MDA(15.88±1.41 μmol/L)and ET-1(0.38±0.03 μg/L)increased and the content of GSH(4.62±0.37 μmol/L), GSH-Px(289.28±30.65)、NO(0.97±0.074 μmol/L), Cx43(0.26±0.10 μg/L) and T-SOD(239.26±4.97 U/mL)decreased in PM_2.5 infected-group and the difference was significant between PM_2.5 infected-group and solvent group(P < 0.05). Compared with PM_2.5 infected control group, the difference of various index of VE groups had statistical significance (P < 0.05), and there was a certain dose-response relationship.

ConclusionsPM_2.5 tracheal drip infections can cause inflammatory damage and oxidative stress changes in rats. VE feeding has protective effects on acute lung damage caused by PM_2.5.