Sub-chronic exposure to elevated temperature and episodic wildfire smoke interact to dysregulate pulmonary, cardiovascular, and metabolic health of male WKY rats

We hypothesized that stress caused by high-temperature housing and episodic subchronic wildfire-related eucalyptus smoke exposure (WFES) would interact to disrupt pulmonary, cardiovascular, and metabolic health. Male Wistar-Kyoto rats (4 weeks of age) were exposed to thermal stress, episodic wildfire smoke, and/or high-cholesterol diet for 12-13 weeks and assessed for health endpoints including pulmonary function, inflammation, systemic markers of health, glucose homeostasis, and cardiovascular function.

Impact/Purpose

This is a presentation at a local symposium (Visiting Pulmonary Scholars) symposium. These data have been presented previously at SOT in 2023 and other meetings. Climate scenarios predict more frequent and longer-lasting heatwaves alongside increased ambient particulate levels from widespread wildfires. These conditions are predicted to exacerbate cardiometabolic disorders, especially in vulnerable populations. We hypothesized that stress caused by high-temperature housing and episodic subchronic wildfire-related eucalyptus smoke exposure (WFES) would interact to disrupt pulmonary, cardiovascular, and metabolic health. Male Wistar-Kyoto rats (4 weeks of age) were exposed to thermal stress, episodic wildfire smoke, and/or high-cholesterol diet for 12-13 weeks and assessed for health endpoints including pulmonary function, inflammation, systemic markers of health, glucose homeostasis, and cardiovascular function.

Citation

Jackson, T. Sub-chronic exposure to elevated temperature and episodic wildfire smoke interact to dysregulate pulmonary, cardiovascular, and metabolic health of male WKY rats. Visiting Pulmonary Scholars Symposium, Chapel Hill, NC, February 07, 2024.