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01-03-2008

Chronic Contamination of Rats with ¹³⁷Cesium Radionuclide: Impact on the Cardiovascular System

Authors: Yann Guéguen, Philippe Lestaevel, Line Grandcolas, Cédric Baudelin, Stéphane Grison, Jean-René Jourdain, Patrick Gourmelon, Maâmar Souidi

Published in: Cardiovascular Toxicology | Issue 1/2008

Abstract

Cardiovascular system impairment has been observed in children and in liquidators exposed to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident. No experimental studies of animals have analyzed whether these disorders might be attributed to chronic ingestion of low levels of cesium 137 (¹³⁷Cs). Biochemical, physiological, and molecular markers of the cardiovascular system were analyzed in rats exposed through drinking water to ¹³⁷Cs at a dose of 500 Bq kg⁻¹ (6500 Bq l⁻¹). Plasma concentrations of CK and CK-MB were higher (+52%, P < 0.05) in contaminated rats. No histological alteration of the heart was observed, but gene expression was modified in the atria. Specifically, levels of ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) and BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) gene expression increased significantly (P < 0.05). ECG analysis did not disclose any arrhythmia except ST- and RT-segment shortening (−9% and −11%, respectively, P < 0.05) in rats exposed to ¹³⁷Cs. Mean blood pressure decreased (−10%, P < 0.05), and its circadian rhythm disappeared. Overall, chronic contamination by an extreme environmental dose of ¹³⁷Cs for 3 months did not result in cardiac morphological changes, but the cardiovascular system impairments we observed could develop into more significant changes in sensitive animals or after longer contamination.

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Title: Chronic Contamination of Rats with 137Cesium Radionuclide: Impact on the Cardiovascular System
Authors: Yann Guéguen
Philippe Lestaevel
Line Grandcolas
Cédric Baudelin
Stéphane Grison
Jean-René Jourdain
Patrick Gourmelon
Maâmar Souidi
Publication date: 01-03-2008
Publisher: Humana Press Inc
Published in: Cardiovascular Toxicology / Issue 1/2008
Print ISSN: 1530-7905
Electronic ISSN: 1559-0259
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-008-9013-3

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Chronic Contamination of Rats with ¹³⁷Cesium Radionuclide: Impact on the Cardiovascular System

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