Exercise does not ameliorate cardiac dysfunction in obese mice exposed to fine particulate matter

Background: Studies have demonstrated that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is exacerbated in patients with pre-existing conditions such as obesity. In the present study, we examined cardiac function of obese mice exposed to PM2.5 and determined if mild exercise affected cardiac function. Methods: Obese mice (ob/ob) (leptin deficient, C57BL/6J background) were exposed to either filtered air (FA) or PM2.5 at an average concentration of 32 μg/m3 for 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 9 months. Following exposure, mice were divided into four groups: (1) FA sedentary, (2) FA treadmill exercise, (3) PM2.5 sedentary, and (4) PM2.5 treadmill exercise and all mice were analyzed after 8 weeks of exercise training. Results: Echocardiography showed increased left ventricular end systolic (LVESd) and diastolic (LVEDd) diameters in PM2.5 sedentary mice compared to FA sedentary mice. There was increased expression of ICAM1, VCAM and CRP markers in sedentary PM2.5 mice compared to FA mice. Both FA and PM2.5 exercised mice showed decreased posterior wall thickness in systole compared to FA sedentary mice, coupled with altered expression of inflammatory markers following exercise. Conclusion: Obese mice exposed to PM2.5 for 9 months showed cardiac dysfunction, which was not improved following mild exercise training.