Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) induce vasodilation in isolated rat aortic rings

J. M. Gutiérrez-Hernández, M. A. Ramirez-Lee, H. Rosas-Hernandez, S. Salazar-García, D. A. Maldonado-Ortega, F. J. González, C. Gonzalez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are used in biological systems with impact in biomedicine in order to improve diagnostics and treatment of diseases. However, their effects upon the vascular system, are not fully understood. Endothelium and smooth muscle cells (SMC) communicate through release of vasoactive factors as nitric oxide (NO) to maintain vascular tone. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of SWCNTs on vascular tone using isolated rat aortic rings, which were exposed to SWCNTs (0.1, 1 and 10. μg/mL) in presence and absence of endothelium. SWCNTs induced vasodilation in both conditions, indicating that this effect was independent on endothelium; moreover that vasodilation was NO-independent, since its blockage with L-NAME did not modify the observed effect. Together, these results indicate that SWCNTs induce vasodilation in the macrovasculature, may be through a direct interaction with SMC rather than endothelium independent of NO production. Further investigation is required to fully understand the mechanisms of action and mediators involved in the signaling pathway induced by SWCNTs on the vascular system.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)657-662
Number of pages6
JournalToxicology in Vitro
Volume29
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aorta
  • Endothelium
  • Single walled carbon nanotubes
  • Smooth muscle
  • Vascular tone
  • Vasodilation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Toxicology

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