Study of the state of the cardiovascular system in laboratory animals after chronic inhalation exposure to lead oxide nanoparticles

Introduction. Current data indicate that lead oxide nanoparticles have a more pronounced toxicity compared to microparticles, organic and inorganic lead salts. Lead intoxication is a significant risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. The features of the cardiotoxic effect of lead oxide nanoparticles require further study.

The study aims to evaluate changes in clinical, functional, and metabolic parameters characterizing the state of the cardiovascular system during inhalation exposure to lead oxide nanoparticles for 4 months.

Materials and methods. The authors conducted an experiment on female rats divided into two equal groups: the main group (n=10) and the control group (n=10). The experimental group was exposed to lead oxide nanoparticles by inhalation at a concentration of 0.2 mg/m³ for 4 months. An electrocardiogram and blood pressure were recorded. Histological examination and metabolomic analysis of heart tissue were performed. The concentration of coproporphyrin and delta-aminolevulinic acid in urine was determined.

Results. The scientists found an increase in pulse pressure (p=0.020), a reduction in the QT interval in the first lead (p=0.027) and the QRS complex in the second (p=0.020). There was an increase in the size of cardiomyocytes (p<0.001). Metabolic analysis of heart tissue revealed an increase in the levels of proline (p=0.019), adenine (p=0.010), methionine sulfoxide (p=0.038), succinyl adenosine (p=0.019), linoleic acid (p=0.010), lysophosphatidylethanolamines 18:0 and 18:1 (p=0.010 and p=0.038, respectively) and lysophosphatidylcholines 18:1 and 18:2 (p=0.038 and p=0.038).

Limitations. This work does not take into account possible intersex and interspecific differences.

Conclusion. The results of the study showed that exposure to lead oxide nanoparticles causes changes in blood pressure, has a proarrhythmogenic effect, contributes to an increase in the size of cardiomyocytes and the development of oxidative stress.

Ethics. The study was approved at a meeting of the Local Ethics Committee of the Yekaterinburg Medical Scientific Center for the Prevention and Health Protection of Industrial Workers of Rospotrebnadzor (Protocol No. 4 dated 07/12/2022).

Contributions:
Minigalieva I.A. — concept and design of research, writing, editing;
Sutunkova M.P. — concept and design of research, editing;
Kopenkin M.A. — data collection and processing, text writing, editing;
Unesikhina M.C. — data collection and processing, text writing, editing;
Petrunina E.M. — data collection and processing;
Bazarnyi V.V. — concept and design of research, editing;
All co-authors — approving the final version of the article and ensuring the integrity of all parts of the article.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Received: 07.05.2026 / Accepted: 14.05.2026 / Published: 11.08.2026

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