Dimethylbenz[α]anthracene induces oxidative stress and reduces the binding capacity of the mitochondrial 18-kDa translocator protein in rat aorta

Abstract

In this study, rats surviving 18 weeks after 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) exposure showed robust pathological changes in the aorta. This correlated well with decreases in 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) binding capacity in this tissue. As expected, markers for oxidative stress, including thiobarbituric-acid–reactive substances, and advanced oxidation protein products, showed that the applied DMBA exposure increased oxidative stress in the aorta. Our study suggests that TSPO may be involved in toxic DMBA effects in the aorta, including inflammatory responses and reactive oxygen species generation.

Keywords::

• Aorta
• endothelial inflammation
• 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)
• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• oxidative stress
• 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO)

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully thank Radmila Crceva Nikolovska, Vesna Smiljeska, and Marietta Sthakleva for their excellent support with the analytical work. This work was further made possible by the continuous and generous support, advice, and encouragement of Mr. Gradimir Shumkovski. JD-S and LV made equal contributions to this work.

Declaration of interest

LV and MG received support from internal Technion Research Funds: Elias Medical Research Fund; Lazarov Research Fund; K Rozenblatt Research Fund; L. Aronberg Research Fund in Neurology; Trauma Research Fund; Fund for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration; Daniel Horovitz Fund–Secondary Brain Damage and Neurodegeneration; Atkins Fund–Gerontology; Alexander Goldberg Memorial Research Fund; Nattie Fisher Alzheimer Research Fund; Jessie Kaplan Research Fund, Alzheimer. The Center for Absorption in Science, Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, State of Israel, is acknowledged for their support to SL and LV. Presently, LV is supported by a joint grant from the Center for Absorption in Science of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and the Committee for Planning and Budgeting of the Council of Higher Education under the framework of the KAMEA program, Israel.