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Taube N, Kabir R, Ebenebe OV, Garbus H, Alam El Din SM, Illingworth E, Fitch M, Wang N, Kohr MJ. Prenatal arsenite exposure alters maternal cardiac remodeling during late pregnancy. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2024; 483:116833. [PMID: 38266874 PMCID: PMC10922692 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.116833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to inorganic arsenic through drinking water is widespread and has been linked to many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Arsenic exposure has been shown to alter hypertrophic signaling in the adult heart, as well as in utero offspring development. However, the effect of arsenic on maternal cardiac remodeling during pregnancy has not been studied. As such, there is a need to understand how environmental exposure contributes to adverse pregnancy-related cardiovascular events. This study seeks to understand the impact of trivalent inorganic arsenic exposure during gestation on maternal cardiac remodeling in late pregnancy, as well as offspring outcomes. C57BL/6 J mice were exposed to 0 (control), 100 or 1000 μg/L sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) beginning at embryonic day (E) 2.5 and continuing through E17.5. Maternal heart function and size were assessed via transthoracic echocardiography, gravimetric measurement, and histology. Transcript levels of hypertrophic markers were probed via qRT-PCR and confirmed by western blot. Offspring outcomes were assessed through echocardiography and gravimetric measurement. We found that maternal heart size was smaller and transcript levels of Esr1 (estrogen receptor alpha), Pgrmc1 (progesterone receptor membrane component 1) and Pgrmc2 (progesterone receptor membrane component 2) reduced during late pregnancy with exposure to 1000 μg/L iAs vs. non-exposed pregnant controls. Both 100 and 1000 μg/L iAs also reduced transcription of Nppa (atrial natriuretic peptide). Akt protein expression was also significantly reduced after 1000 μg/L iAs exposure in the maternal heart with no change in activating phosphorylation. This significant abrogation of maternal cardiac hypertrophy suggests that arsenic exposure during pregnancy can potentially contribute to cardiovascular disease. Taken together, our findings further underscore the importance of reducing arsenic exposure during pregnancy and indicate that more research is needed to assess the impact of arsenic and other environmental exposures on the maternal heart and adverse pregnancy events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Taube
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Raihan Kabir
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Obialunanma V Ebenebe
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Haley Garbus
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sarah-Marie Alam El Din
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Emily Illingworth
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Michael Fitch
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Nadan Wang
- Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mark J Kohr
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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Georgescu T. The role of maternal hormones in regulating autonomic functions during pregnancy. J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13348. [PMID: 37936545 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Offspring development relies on numerous physiological changes that occur in a mother's body, with hormones driving many of these adaptations. Amongst these, the physiological functions controlled by the autonomic nervous system are required for the mother to survive and are adjusted to meet the demands of the growing foetus and to ensure a successful birth. The hormones oestrogen, progesterone, and lactogenic hormones rise significantly during pregnancy, suggesting they may also play a role in regulating the maternal adaptations linked to autonomic nervous system functions, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and thermoregulatory functions. Indeed, expression of pregnancy hormone receptors spans multiple brain regions known to regulate these physiological functions. This review examines how respiratory, cardiovascular, and thermoregulatory functions are controlled by these pregnancy hormones by focusing on their action on central nervous system circuits. Inadequate adaptations in these systems during pregnancy can give rise to several pregnancy complications, highlighting the importance in understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of these changes and potentially identifying ways to treat pregnancy-associated afflictions using hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Georgescu
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Taube N, Kabir R, Ebenebe OV, Garbus H, Din SMAE, Illingworth E, Fitch M, Wang N, Kohr MJ. Prenatal Arsenite Exposure Alters Maternal Cardiac Remodeling During Late Pregnancy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.28.559986. [PMID: 37808684 PMCID: PMC10557683 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.28.559986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to inorganic arsenic through drinking water is widespread and has been linked to many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Arsenic exposure has been shown to alter hypertrophic signaling in the adult heart, as well as in-utero offspring development. However, the effect of arsenic on maternal cardiac remodeling during pregnancy has not been studied. As such, there is a need to understand how environmental exposure contributes to adverse pregnancy-related cardiovascular events. This study seeks to understand the impact of trivalent inorganic arsenic exposure during gestation on maternal cardiac remodeling in late pregnancy, as well as offspring outcomes. C57BL/6J mice were exposed to 0 (control), 100 or 1000 µg/L sodium arsenite (NaAsO 2 ) beginning at embryonic day (E) 2.5 and continuing through E17.5. Maternal heart function and size were assessed via transthoracic echocardiography, gravimetric measurement, and histology. Transcript levels of hypertrophic markers were probed via qRT-PCR and confirmed by western blot. Offspring outcomes were assessed through echocardiography and gravimetric measurement. We found that exposure to 1000 µg/L iAs abrogated normal physiologic growth of the maternal heart during late pregnancy and reduced transcript levels of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (Pgrmc1) and progesterone receptor membrane component 2 (Pgrmc2). Both 100 and 1000 µg/L iAs also reduced transcription of protein kinase B (Akt) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Akt protein expression was also significantly reduced after 1000 µg/L iAs exposure in the maternal heart with no change in activating phosphorylation. This significant abrogation of maternal cardiac hypertrophy suggests that arsenic exposure during pregnancy can potentially contribute to cardiovascular disease. Taken together, our findings further underscore the importance of reducing arsenic exposure during pregnancy and indicate that more research is needed to assess the impact of arsenic and other environmental exposures on the maternal heart and adverse pregnancy events.
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Díez-Escuté N, Arbelo E, Martínez-Barrios E, Cerralbo P, Cesar S, Cruzalegui J, Chipa F, Fiol V, Zschaeck I, Hernández C, Campuzano O, Sarquella-Brugada G. Sex differences in long QT syndrome. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1164028. [PMID: 37082456 PMCID: PMC10110834 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1164028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is a rare, inherited channelopathy characterized by cardiac repolarization dysfunction, leading to a prolonged rate-corrected QT interval in patients who are at risk for malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias, syncope, and even sudden cardiac death. A complex genetic origin, variable expressivity as well as incomplete penetrance make the diagnosis a clinical challenge. In the last 10 years, there has been a continuous improvement in diagnostic and personalized treatment options. Therefore, several factors such as sex, age diagnosis, QTc interval, and genetic background may contribute to risk stratification of patients, but it still currently remains as a main challenge in LQTS. It is widely accepted that sex is a risk factor itself for some arrhythmias. Female sex has been suggested as a risk factor in the development of malignant arrhythmias associated with LQTS. The existing differences between the sexes are only manifested after puberty, being the hormones the main inducers of arrhythmias. Despite the increased risk in females, no more than 10% of the available publications on LQTS include sex-related data concerning the risk of malignant arrhythmias in females. Therein, the relevance of our review data update concerning women and LQTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Díez-Escuté
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Arbelo
- Arrhythmia Section, Cardiology Department, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- IDIBAPS, Institut d’Investigació August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
- European Reference Network for Rare, Low Prevalence and Complex Diseases of the Heart, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Estefanía Martínez-Barrios
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patricia Cerralbo
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Cesar
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Cruzalegui
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Freddy Chipa
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victoria Fiol
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Zschaeck
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Hernández
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar Campuzano
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGI, Girona, Spain
- Correspondence: Oscar Campuzano Georgia Sarquella-Brugada
| | - Georgia Sarquella-Brugada
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- European Reference Network for Rare, Low Prevalence and Complex Diseases of the Heart, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Correspondence: Oscar Campuzano Georgia Sarquella-Brugada
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Higher Na+-Ca2+ Exchanger Function and Triggered Activity Contribute to Male Predisposition to Atrial Fibrillation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810724. [PMID: 36142639 PMCID: PMC9501955 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Male sex is one of the most important risk factors of atrial fibrillation (AF), with the incidence in men being almost double that in women. However, the reasons for this sex difference are unknown. Accordingly, in this study, we sought to determine whether there are sex differences in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in mouse atrial myocytes that might help explain male predisposition to AF. AF susceptibility was assessed in male (M) and female (F) mice (4–5 months old) using programmed electrical stimulation (EPS) protocols. Males were 50% more likely to develop AF. The Ca2+ transient amplitude was 28% higher in male atrial myocytes. Spontaneous systolic and diastolic Ca2+ releases, which are known sources of triggered activity, were significantly more frequent in males than females. The time to 90% decay of Ca2+ transient was faster in males. Males had 54% higher Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCX1) current density, and its expression was also more abundant. L-type Ca2+ current (ICaL) was recorded with and without BAPTA, a Ca2+ chelator. ICaL density was lower in males only in the absence of BAPTA, suggesting stronger Ca2+-dependent inactivation in males. CaV1.2 expression was similar between sexes. This study reports major sex differences in Ca2+ homeostasis in mouse atria, with larger Ca2+ transients and enhanced NCX1 function and expression in males resulting in more spontaneous Ca2+ releases. These sex differences may contribute to male susceptibility to AF by promoting triggered activity.
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Regulation of sinus node pacemaking and atrioventricular node conduction by HCN channels in health and disease. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 166:61-85. [PMID: 34197836 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2021.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The funny current, If, was first recorded in the heart 40 or more years ago by Dario DiFrancesco and others. Since then, we have learnt that If plays an important role in pacemaking in the sinus node, the innate pacemaker of the heart, and more recently evidence has accumulated to show that If may play an important role in action potential conduction through the atrioventricular (AV) node. Evidence has also accumulated to show that regulation of the transcription and translation of the underlying Hcn genes plays an important role in the regulation of sinus node pacemaking and AV node conduction under normal physiological conditions - in athletes, during the circadian rhythm, in pregnancy, and during postnatal development - as well as pathological states - ageing, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, diabetes and atrial fibrillation. There may be yet more pathological conditions involving changes in the expression of the Hcn genes. Here, we review the role of If and the underlying HCN channels in physiological and pathological changes of the sinus and AV nodes and we begin to explore the signalling pathways (microRNAs, transcription factors, GIRK4, the autonomic nervous system and inflammation) involved in this regulation. This review is dedicated to Dario DiFrancesco on his retirement.
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Gajęcka M, Majewski MS, Zielonka Ł, Grzegorzewski W, Onyszek E, Lisieska-Żołnierczyk S, Juśkiewicz J, Babuchowski A, Gajęcki MT. Concentration of Zearalenone, Alpha-Zearalenol and Beta-Zearalenol in the Myocardium and the Results of Isometric Analyses of the Coronary Artery in Prepubertal Gilts. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13060396. [PMID: 34199438 PMCID: PMC8228058 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13060396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The carry-over of zearalenone (ZEN) to the myocardium and its effects on coronary vascular reactivity in vivo have not been addressed in the literature to date. Therefore, the objective of this study was to verify the hypothesis that low ZEN doses (MABEL, NOAEL and LOAEL) administered per os to prepubertal gilts for 21 days affect the accumulation of ZEN, α-ZEL and β-ZEL in the myocardium and the reactivity of the porcine coronary arteries to vasoconstrictors: acetylcholine, potassium chloride and vasodilator sodium nitroprusside. The contractile response to acetylcholine in the presence of a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, indomethacin and / or an endothelial nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS) inhibitor, L-NAME was also studied. The results of this study indicate that the carry-over of ZEN and its metabolites to the myocardium is a highly individualized process that occurs even at very low mycotoxin concentrations. The concentrations of the accumulated ZEN metabolites are inversely proportional to each other due to biotransformation processes. The levels of vasoconstrictors, acetylcholine and potassium chloride, were examined in the left anterior descending branch of the porcine coronary artery after oral administration of ZEN. The LOAEL dose clearly decreased vasoconstriction in response to both potassium chloride and acetylcholine (P < 0.05 for all values) and increased vasodilation in the presence of sodium nitroprusside (P = 0.021). The NOAEL dose significantly increased vasoconstriction caused by acetylcholine (P < 0.04), whereas the MABEL dose did not cause significant changes in the vascular response. Unlike higher doses of ZEN, 5 μg/kg had no negative influence on the vascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Gajęcka
- Department of Veterinary Prevention and Feed Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 13/29, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland; (Ł.Z.); (M.T.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Michał S. Majewski
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska 30, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Łukasz Zielonka
- Department of Veterinary Prevention and Feed Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 13/29, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland; (Ł.Z.); (M.T.G.)
| | - Waldemar Grzegorzewski
- Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Pigonia 1, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland;
- Interdisciplinary Center for Preclinical and Clinical Research, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biol-ogy and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Pigonia 1, 35-310 Rzeszow, Po-land
| | - Ewa Onyszek
- Dairy Industry Innovation Institute Ltd., Kormoranów 1, 11-700 Mrągowo, Poland; (E.O.); (A.B.)
| | - Sylwia Lisieska-Żołnierczyk
- Independent Public Health Care Centre of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, and the Warmia and Mazury Oncology Centre in Olsztyn, Wojska Polskiego 37, 10-228 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Jerzy Juśkiewicz
- Department of Biological Function of Foods, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Division of Food Science, Tuwima 10, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Andrzej Babuchowski
- Dairy Industry Innovation Institute Ltd., Kormoranów 1, 11-700 Mrągowo, Poland; (E.O.); (A.B.)
| | - Maciej T. Gajęcki
- Department of Veterinary Prevention and Feed Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 13/29, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland; (Ł.Z.); (M.T.G.)
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Arrhythmic risk during pregnancy and postpartum in patients with long QT syndrome. Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol 2021; 32:180-185. [PMID: 33782754 PMCID: PMC8166676 DOI: 10.1007/s00399-021-00757-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a genetic disorder characterized by a prolonged QT interval in the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) that predisposes affected individuals to arrhythmic syncope, ventricular torsades-de-pointes, and sudden cardiac death at a young age. Investigations of large patient cohorts revealed sex-related differences in the LQTS phenotype. Adult women with LQTS are at higher risk for cardiac arrhythmias than are adult men with LQTS. Sex hormones are thought to play the primary role for these gender differences. Clinical experience and translational studies indicated that females with LQTS have a lower risk for cardiac arrhythmias during pregnancy and elevated risk in the postpartum period due to contrasting effects of estradiol and progesterone, as well as postpartum hormones on the action potential and arrhythmia substrate. However, this pro- or anti-arrhythmic potential of hormones varies depending on the underlying genotype, partly since sex hormones have distinct effects on different (affected) cardiac ion channels. Thus, a comprehensive evaluation of women with LQTS prior to and during pregnancy, during labor, and in the postpartum period with consideration of the patient’s disease- and gene-specific risk factors is essential to providing precision management in this patient group. This review discusses the current understanding of hormonal influences in LQTS and provides practical guidance for the optimal management of LQTS patients during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period.
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