Cardioprotective effect of cerium oxide nanoparticles in monocrotaline rat model of pulmonary hypertension: A possible implication of endothelin-1.

AIMS: Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) have been recently introduced into the medical field for their antioxidant properties. The ability of CeO2 NPs alone or in combination with spironolactone (SP) to attenuate monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension and associated right ventricular hypertrophy was studied in rats. A special emphasis was given to endothelin-1 pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pulmonary hypertension was induced in albino rats by a single subcutaneous injection of MCT (60 mg/kg). Rats received either single CeO2 NPs therapy or combined therapy with SP for 2 weeks.

KEY FINDINGS: CeO2 NPs improved pulmonary function tests with concomitant decrease in serum endothelin-1 and pulmonary expression of endothelin-1 and its receptor ETAR. Besides, CeO2 NPs diminished MCT-induced right ventricular hypertrophy and reduced cardiac oxidative stress and apoptosis.

SIGNIFICANCE: CeO2 NPs could improve pulmonary hypertension and associated right ventricular hypertrophy with no additive value for SP. Besides being an antioxidant, CeO2 NPs work through endothelin-1 pathway to improve pulmonary hypertension.