Developmental nicotine exposure alters cardiovascular structure and function in neonatal and juvenile rats

Emily G. Flanigan, Gerrie P. Farman, Melissa R. Dennis, Lila Wollman, Marloes Van Den Berg, Henk Granzier, Christopher T. Banek, Ralph F. Fregosi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Here we test the hypothesis that continuous nicotine exposure throughout pre- and postnatal development (developmental nicotine exposure, DNE) alters the cardiovascular structure and function in neonatal and juvenile rats. Echocardiography showed that DNE reduced left ventricular mass, left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) diameter, and posterior wall thickness, but only in females. Both male and female DNE rats had a lower end-systolic volume, higher ejection fraction, and increased fractional shortening, with unchanged stroke volume and cardiac output. Left ventricular single cardiac myocytes from male and female DNE animals exhibited increased calcium-evoked maximal tension with no effect on EC50. Tail-cuff plethysmography in awake rats showed that DNE males had lower systolic blood pressure and higher heart rate than control males. No significant changes in preload, afterload, or the in vitro renal artery response to vasodilators were observed. The results suggest that DNE enhances myocyte tension-generating capacity, possibly compensating for an unknown developmental insult, which may differ in males and females. Although this adaptation maintains normal resting cardiac function, it may lead to reduced cardiac reserve, increased energy demand, and elevated oxidative stress, potentially compromising both short- and long-term cardiovascular health in developing neonates.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)H1442-H1454
JournalAmerican Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology
Volume327
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2024

Keywords

  • cardiac physiology
  • heart development
  • nicotine
  • perinatal
  • single myocyte tension

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Physiology (medical)

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