Residual Oil Fly Ash (ROFA) inhalation promotes lung and heart oxidative stress without hemodynamic effects in exercising rats

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that exercise effort could increase oxidative damage induced by residual oil fly ash (ROFA) inhalation that resulted in hemodynamic alterations during exercise. Wistar rats that were submitted to ROFA before 20 min of swimming exercise showed an increase in lipid peroxidation (MDA and Chemiluminesnce) in the lungs. The ROFA treatment also increased lipid peroxidation in the heart. However, the treatment had no influence on heart rate or blood pressure responses during exercise. These findings indicate that particulate matter inhalation during exercise may exacerbate oxidative stress in the heart and lungs without producing significant alterations in the hemodynamic variables. Key Words: Exercise, Oxidative Stress, Pollution, Particulate Matter