Cardiac inflammation involving in PKCε or ERK1/2-activated NF-κB signalling pathway in mice following exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Co-exposure of butyl benzyl phthalate and TiO2 nanomaterials (anatase) in Metaphire guillelmi: Gut health implications by transcriptomics

During the COVID-19 pandemic, an abundance of plastic face masks has been consumed and disposed of in the environment. In addition, substantial amounts of plastic mulch film have been used in intensive agriculture with low recovery. Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) and TiO2 nanomaterials (nTiO2) are widely applied in plastic products, leading to the inevitable release of BBP and nTiO2 into the soil system. However, the impact of co-exposure of BBP and nTiO2 at low concentrations on earthworms remains understudied. In the present study, transcriptomics was applied to reveal the effects of individual BBP and nTiO2 exposures at a concentration of 1 mg kg-1, along with the combined exposure of BBP and nTiO2 (1 mg kg-1 BBP + 1 mg kg-1 nTiO2 (anatase)) on Metaphire guillelmi. The result showed that BBP and nTiO2 exposures have the potential to induce neurodegeneration through glutamate accumulation, tau protein, and oxidative stress in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, as well as metabolism dysfunction. The present study contributes to our understanding of the toxic mechanisms of emerging contaminants at environmentally relevant levels and prompts consideration of the management of BBP and nTiO2 within the soil ecosystems.

Black phosphorus quantum dots induce myocardial inflammatory responses and metabolic disorders in mice

As an ultrasmall derivative of black phosphorus (BP) sheets, BP quantum dots (BP-QDs) have been effectively used in many fields. Currently, information on the cardiotoxicity induced by BP-QDs remains limited. We aimed to evaluate BP-QD-induced cardiac toxicity in mice. Histopathological examination of heart tissue sections was performed. Transcriptome sequencing, real-time quantitative PCR (RT‒qPCR), western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assays were used to detect the mRNA and/or protein expression of proinflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and glucose/lipid metabolism pathway-related genes. We found that heart weight and heart/body weight index (HBI) were significantly reduced in mice after intragastric administration of 0.1 or 1 mg/kg BP-QDs for 28 days. In addition, obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and increased cardiomyocyte diameter were observed in the BP-QD-treated groups. Altered expression of proinflammatory cytokines and genes related to the NF-κB signaling pathway further confirmed that BP-QD exposure induced inflammatory responses. In addition, BP-QD treatment also affected the PI3K-AKT, PPARγ, thermogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation, and cardiac muscle contraction signaling pathways. The expression of genes related to glucose/lipid metabolism signaling pathways was dramatically affected by BP-QD exposure, and the effect was primarily mediated by the PPAR signaling pathway. Our study provides new insights into the toxicity of BP-QDs to human health.

Titanium particles in peri-implantitis: distribution, pathogenesis and prospects

Peri-implantitis is one of the most important biological complications in the field of oral implantology. Identifying the causative factors of peri-implant inflammation and osteolysis is crucial for the disease's prevention and treatment. The underlying risk factors and detailed pathogenesis of peri-implantitis remain to be elucidated. Titanium-based implants as the most widely used implant inevitably release titanium particles into the surrounding tissue. Notably, the concentration of titanium particles increases significantly at peri-implantitis sites, suggesting titanium particles as a potential risk factor for the condition. Previous studies have indicated that titanium particles can induce peripheral osteolysis and foster the development of aseptic osteoarthritis in orthopedic joint replacement. However, it remains unconfirmed whether this phenomenon also triggers inflammation and bone resorption in peri-implant tissues. This review summarizes the distribution of titanium particles around the implant, the potential roles in peri-implantitis and the prevalent prevention strategies, which expects to provide new directions for the study of the pathogenesis and treatment of peri-implantitis.

Oral toxicological study of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with a crystallite diameter of 6 nm in rats

BACKGROUND

Though titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is generally considered to have a low impact in the human body, the safety of TiO₂ containing nanosized particles (NPs) has attracted attention. We found that the toxicity of silver NPs markedly varied depending on their particle size, as silver NPs with a diameter of 10 nm exhibited fatal toxicity in female BALB/c mice, unlike those with diameters of 60 and 100 nm. Therefore, the toxicological effects of the smallest available TiO₂ NPs with a crystallite size of 6 nm were examined in male and female F344/DuCrlCrlj rats by repeated oral administration of 10, 100, and 1000 mg/kg bw/day (5/sex/group) for 28 days and of 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg bw/day (10/sex/group) for 90 days.

RESULTS

In both 28- and 90-day studies, no mortality was observed in any group, and no treatment-related adverse effects were observed in body weight, urinalysis, hematology, serum biochemistry, or organ weight. Histopathological examination revealed TiO₂ particles as depositions of yellowish-brown material. The particles observed in the gastrointestinal lumen were also found in the nasal cavity, epithelium, and stromal tissue in the 28-day study. In addition, they were observed in Peyer's patches in the ileum, cervical lymph nodes, mediastinal lymph nodes, bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue, and trachea in the 90-day study. Notably, no adverse biological responses, such as inflammation or tissue injury, were observed around the deposits. Titanium concentration analysis in the liver, kidneys, and spleen revealed that TiO₂ NPs were barely absorbed and accumulated in these tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis of colonic crypts showed no extension of the proliferative cell zone or preneoplastic cytoplasmic/nuclear translocation of β-catenin either in the male or female 1000 mg/kg bw/day group. Regarding genotoxicity, no significant increase in micronucleated or γ-H2AX positive hepatocytes was observed. Additionally, the induction of γ-H2AX was not observed at the deposition sites of yellowish-brown materials.

CONCLUSIONS

No effects were observed after repeated oral administration of TiO₂ with a crystallite size of 6 nm at up to 1000 mg/kg bw/day regarding general toxicity, accumulation of titanium in the liver, kidneys, and spleen, abnormality of colonic crypts, and induction of DNA strand breaks and chromosomal aberrations.

Effects of Nano-titanium Dioxide on Calcium Homeostasis in Vivo and in Vitro: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

With the extensive application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs), their impacts on calcium homeostasis have aroused extensive attention from scholars. However, there are still some controversies in relevant reports. Therefore, a systematic review was performed followed by a meta-analysis to explore whether TiO₂ NPs could induce the imbalance in calcium homeostasis in vivo and in vitro through Revman5.4 and Stata15.0 in this research. 14 studies were included through detailed database retrieval and literature screening. Results indicated that the calcium levels were significantly increased and the activity of Ca²⁺-ATPase was significantly decreased by TiO₂ NPs in vivo and in vitro. Subgroup analysis of the studies in vivo showed that TiO₂ NPs exposure caused a significant increase in calcium levels in rats, exposure to large-sized TiO₂ NPs (> 10 nm) and long-term (> 30 d) exposure could significantly increase calcium levels, and the activity of Ca²⁺-ATPase showed a concentration-dependent downward trend. Subgroup analysis of the studies in vitro revealed that intracellular calcium levels increased significantly in animal cells, exposure to small-sized TiO₂ NPs (≤ 10 nm) and high concentration (> 10 μg/mL) exposure could induce a significant increase in Ca²⁺ concentration, and the activity of Ca²⁺-ATPase also showed a concentration-dependent downward trend. This research showed that the physicochemical properties of TiO₂ NPs and the experimental scheme could affect calcium homeostasis.

Evaluating Membrane Electrical Properties of SMMC7721 Cells with TiO₂ NPs Applications to Cytotoxicity by Dielectric Spectroscopy

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) represent one of the most frequently applied nanomaterials in numerous areas of daily life. Recent studies show that TiO₂ exposure increases the occupational risk of liver injury and inflammation, and even liver cancer to the workers of factories handling these NPs. However, the potential risks and biophysical effects of TiO₂ on hepatic cells need extensive evaluation. To this end, we explored the electrophysiological changes in the human liver cancer cell line SMMC7721 following exposure to TiO₂ NPs. TiO₂ NPs decreased the first (Δε₁) and second dielectric relaxation intensity (Δε₂) of the SMMC7721 cells by 6.62% and 0.86% respectively, and significantly increased the first characteristic frequency (f_c1, 4.82%) and the first Cole-Cole parameter (β₁, 1.24%). The double spherical-shell model showed that TiO₂ NPs significantly lowered the permittivity of unit-membrane and capacitance, as well as the conductivity of extracellular fluid, cytoplasm, and nuclear contents compared to the untreated control. Conclusively, this study revealed that TiO₂ NPs induce cytotoxic effects by disrupting the permeability and electrical conductivity of unit membranes. Further, we report that dielectric spectrum combined with model parameter analysis can evaluate the bioelectrical effects of TiO₂ NPs on human liver cancer cells.

Nanomaterials-induced toxicity on cardiac myocytes and tissues, and emerging toxicity assessment techniques

The extensive production and use of nanomaterials have resulted in the continuous release of nano-sized particles into the environment, and the health risks caused by exposure to these nanomaterials in the occupational population and the general population cannot be ignored. Studies have found that particle exposure is closely related to cardiovascular disease. In addition, there have been many reports that nanomaterials can enter the heart tissue, accumulate and then cause damage. Therefore, in the present article, literature related to nanomaterials-induced cardiotoxicity in recent years was collected from the PubMed database, and then organized and summarized to form a review. This article mainly discusses heart damage caused by nanomaterials from the following three aspects: Firstly, we summarize the research 8 carbon nanotubes, etc. Secondly, we discuss in depth the possible underlying mechanism of the damage to the heart caused by nanoparticles. Oxidative stress damage, mitochondrial damage, inflammation and apoptosis have been found to be key factors. Finally, we summarize the current research models used to evaluate the cardiotoxicity of nanomaterials, highlight reliable emerging technologies and in vitro models that have been used for toxicity evaluation of environmental pollutants in recent years, and indicate their application prospects.

Adverse cardiovascular responses of engineered nanomaterials: Current understanding of molecular mechanisms and future challenges

Nanotechnology is spanning multiple fields of study from materials science to computer engineering and drug discovery. Since the early 21st century, nanotechnology and nano-enabled research have received great attention and governmental funding accompanied with interest to ensure human and environmental safety of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). Optimal functioning of the cardiovascular (CV) system is of utmost importance for the overall health of the body. Following exposure, ENMs essentially end up in the circulation (at least partially) and hence it is key to assess any associated adverse CV consequences. Accumulating research suggests that exposure to ENMs (different compositions and physicochemical properties) has the capacity to directly and indirectly interact with CV components resulting in adverse events and worsening of CV complications. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms driving these events remain to be elucidated. In this article, we review state-of-art literature on ENM-associated adverse CV responses and discuss the potential underlying molecular mechanisms.

Safety assessment of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive

The present opinion deals with an updated safety assessment of the food additive titanium dioxide (E 171) based on new relevant scientific evidence considered by the Panel to be reliable, including data obtained with TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) and data from an extended one-generation reproductive toxicity (EOGRT) study. Less than 50% of constituent particles by number in E 171 have a minimum external dimension < 100 nm. In addition, the Panel noted that constituent particles < 30 nm amounted to less than 1% of particles by number. The Panel therefore considered that studies with TiO2 NPs < 30 nm were of limited relevance to the safety assessment of E 171. The Panel concluded that although gastrointestinal absorption of TiO2 particles is low, they may accumulate in the body. Studies on general and organ toxicity did not indicate adverse effects with either E 171 up to a dose of 1,000 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day or with TiO2 NPs (> 30 nm) up to the highest dose tested of 100 mg/kg bw per day. No effects on reproductive and developmental toxicity were observed up to a dose of 1,000 mg E 171/kg bw per day, the highest dose tested in the EOGRT study. However, observations of potential immunotoxicity and inflammation with E 171 and potential neurotoxicity with TiO2 NPs, together with the potential induction of aberrant crypt foci with E 171, may indicate adverse effects. With respect to genotoxicity, the Panel concluded that TiO2 particles have the potential to induce DNA strand breaks and chromosomal damage, but not gene mutations. No clear correlation was observed between the physico-chemical properties of TiO2 particles and the outcome of either in vitro or in vivo genotoxicity assays. A concern for genotoxicity of TiO2 particles that may be present in E 171 could therefore not be ruled out. Several modes of action for the genotoxicity may operate in parallel and the relative contributions of different molecular mechanisms elicited by TiO2 particles are not known. There was uncertainty as to whether a threshold mode of action could be assumed. In addition, a cut-off value for TiO2 particle size with respect to genotoxicity could not be identified. No appropriately designed study was available to investigate the potential carcinogenic effects of TiO2 NPs. Based on all the evidence available, a concern for genotoxicity could not be ruled out, and given the many uncertainties, the Panel concluded that E 171 can no longer be considered as safe when used as a food additive.

Combined Toxicity of Metal Nanoparticles: Comparison of Individual and Mixture Particles Effect

Toxicity of metal nanoparticles (NPs) are closely associated with increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators. However, NP interactions and surface complexation reactions alter the original toxicity of individual NPs. To date, toxicity studies on NPs have mostly been focused on individual NPs instead of the combination of several species. It is expected that the amount of industrial and highway-acquired NPs released into the environment will further increase in the near future. This raises the possibility that various types of NPs could be found in the same medium, thereby, the adverse effects of each NP either could be potentiated, inhibited or remain unaffected by the presence of the other NPs. After uptake of NPs into the human body from various routes, protein kinases pathways mediate their toxicities. In this context, family of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) is mostly efficient. Despite each NP activates almost the same metabolic pathways, the toxicity induced by a single type of NP is different than the case of co-exposure to the combined NPs. The scantiness of toxicological data on NPs combinations displays difficulties to determine, if there is any risk associated with exposure to combined nanomaterials. Currently, in addition to mathematical analysis (Response surface methodology; RSM), the quantitative-structure-activity relationship (QSAR) is used to estimate the toxicity of various metal oxide NPs based on their physicochemical properties and levels applied. In this chapter, it is discussed whether the coexistence of multiple metal NPs alter the original toxicity of individual NP. Additionally, in the part of "Toxicity of diesel emission/exhaust particles (DEP)", the known individual toxicity of metal NPs within the DEP is compared with the data regarding toxicity of total DEP mixture.

The association between the diesel exhaust particle exposure from bus emission and the tubular epithelial cell deformation of rats

The diesel vehicle emissions regarding particles have become a problem due to human health adversely. Especially ultrafine particles (diameter ≤ 100 nm) can deeply penetrate the human body leading to cell deformation. Investigation of the diesel ultrafine particle exposure to the cell deformation has become a challenge to build up understanding the impacts of ultrafine particles on human health. Moreover, the relationship between high exposure to diesel ultrafine particles and the deformation of the rat's tubular epithelial cells is not clear. In this study, we investigated the impact of the diesel ultrafine particle exposure to the rat's tubular cells. Three diesel busses were used as the sources of the particles, while 50 rats were used as the experimental animals. The diesel emission was filtered using an N95 particulate filter and a suction pump. The rats were exposed to the diesel ultrafine particle emission for 100 s with three different concentrations C₁, C₂, and C₃ for eight consecutive days. All rats were sacrificed on the day after exposures to examine the histological images. The results showed that the deformation level of the tubular epithelial cells was positively associated with the concentration of the ultrafine particles.

Could curcumin ameliorate titanium dioxide nanoparticles effect on the heart? A histopathological, immunohistochemical, and genotoxic study

The evaluation of the toxicological effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) is increasingly important due to their growing occupational and industrial use. Curcumin is a yellow curry spice with a long history of use in herbal medicine and has numerous protective potentials such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that curcumin could ameliorate TiO₂NP-induced cardiotoxic and genotoxic effects in adult male albino rats. For this purpose, 48 adult male albino rats were randomized into five groups; all treatment was by oral gavage once daily for 90 days: group I (8 rats), untreated control; group II (16 rats), subdivided into vehicle control IIa (8 rats) received saline and vehicle control IIb (8 rats) received corn oil; group III (8 rats) orally gavaged with curcumin dissolved in 0.5 ml corn oil at a dose of 200 mg/kg b.w./day; group IV treated with TiO₂NPs at a dose of 1200 mg/kg b.w./day (1/10 LD₅₀) suspended in 1 ml of 0.9% saline; group V treated with curcumin + TiO₂NPs (the same previously mentioned doses). Curcumin was orally gavaged for 7 days before TiO₂NPs treatment was initiated, and then they received TiO₂NPs along with curcumin at the same doses for 90 days. TiO₂NPs administration resulted in several myocardial cytomorphic changes as structurally disorganized, degenerated, and apoptotic cardiomyocytes and the newly implemented 3-nitrotyrosine immune expression rendered strong evidence that these effects derived from the cardio myocellular oxidative burden. Furthermore, comet assay results confirmed TiO₂NP-related DNA damage. Remarkably, all these changes are partially mitigated in rats treated with both curcumin and TiO₂NPs. Our results suggest that concurrent curcumin treatment has a beneficial role in ameliorating TiO₂NP-induced cardiotoxicity and this may be mediated by its antioxidative property.

The harmful effects of acute PM2.5 exposure to the heart and a novel preventive and therapeutic function of CEOs

Epidemiological researches have demonstrated the relationship between PM_2.5 exposure and increased morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular injury. However, no effective therapeutic method was established. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of acute PM_2.5 exposure on the mice heart tissue and explore the therapeutic effects of compound essential oils (CEOs) in this model. In this study, after mice were exposed to PM_2.5 intratracheally, some obvious histopathological changes as well as some great alterations of proinflammatory cytokines were observed in the heart tissue. The imbalance of oxidative stress, the altered Ca²⁺ channel related proteins and the increased intracellular free Ca²⁺ were all involved in the heart impairment and would also be investigated in this model. The CEOs alleviated the heart impairment via its antioxidant effect rather than its anti-inflammatory function because our results revealed that oxidative stress related indicators were restored after CEOs administration. At the same time, increased concentration of intracellular free Ca²⁺ and ROS induced by PM_2.5 were reduced after NAC (N-Acetyl-L-cysteine) administration. These data suggested that the acute PM_2.5 exposure would damage heart tissue by inducing the inflammatory response, oxidative stress and intracellular free Ca²⁺ overload. PM_2.5-induced oxidative stress probably increase intracellular free Ca²⁺ via RYR2 and SERCA2a. CEOs have the potential to be a novel effective and convenient therapeutic method to prevent and treat the acute heart impairment induced by PM_2.5 via its antioxidant function.

Nanomedicine for the cardiac myocyte: Where are we?

Biomedical achievements in the last few decades, leading to successful therapeutic interventions, have considerably improved human life expectancy. Nevertheless, the increasing load and the still suboptimal outcome for patients with cardiac dysfunction underlines the relevance of continuous research to develop novel therapeutics for these diseases. In this context, the field of nanomedicine has attracted a lot of attention due to the potential novel treatment possibilities, such as controlled and sustained release, tissue targeting, and drug protection from degradation. For cardiac myocytes, which constitute the majority of the heart by mass and are the contractile unit, new options have been explored in terms of the use of nanomaterials (NMs) for therapy, diagnosis, and tissue engineering. This review focuses on the advances of nanomedicine targeted to the cardiac myocyte: first presenting the NMs used and the principal cardiac myocyte-based afflictions, followed by an overview of key advances in the field, including NMs interactions with the cardiac myocyte, therapy delivery, diagnosis based on imaging, and tissue engineering for tissue repair and heart-on-a-chip devices.

A study of the correlation between ultrafine particle emissions in motorcycle smoke and mice erythrocyte damages

Sharply increasing of motor vehicles every year contributes to amounts of ultrafine particles (UFPs) in the air. Besides, the existence of UFPs in the blood may cause erythrocyte damages that subject to shape deformation. This study was aimed to investigate the influence of UFPs in the motorcycle smoke exposed to mice in different concentrations to the erythrocyte damages. The experiments were conducted by injecting the motorcycle smoke with the varied amounts in an experimental chamber (dimension of 30×20×20cm³) where the mice were put in advance for exposuring twice a day (100s). Total numbers of UFPs in the smoke were calculated by measuring the total concentrations multiplied by the smoke debit. They were measured using a TSI 8525 P-Trak UPC. The effects of the smoke exposures in the mice's erythrocytes related to the UFPs in the smoke were observed by a binocular CX-31 Computer Microscope after the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th exposure days. The erythrocyte damages were calculated from the total abnormal erythrocytes divided by the total erythrocytes. Our results showed that more UFPs exposed to mice resulted in more the erythrocytes damages. Longer exposures caused more damages of the mice erythrocytes. This study found significant correlations between the numbers of UFPs exposed to mice and the erythrocyte damages. Our finding gives important evidence that motorcycle emissions especially UFPs affect on health.

Progress of in vivo studies on the systemic toxicities induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are inorganic materials with a diameter of 1-100 nm. In recent years, TiO2 NPs have been used in a wide range of products, including food, toothpaste, cosmetics, medicine, paints and printing materials, due to their unique properties (high stability, anti-corrosion, and efficient photocatalysis). Following exposure via various routes including inhalation, injection, dermal deposition and gastrointestinal tract absorption, NPs can be found in various organs in the body potentially inducing toxic effects. Thus more attention to the safety of TiO2 NPs is necessary. Therefore, the present review aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the toxic effects induced by TiO2 NPs in the lung, liver, stomach, intestine, kidney, spleen, brain, hippocampus, heart, blood vessels, ovary and testis of mice and rats in in vivo experiments, and evaluate their potential toxic mechanisms. The findings will provide an important reference for human risk evaluation and management following TiO2 NP exposure.

Toxic effects of TiO2 nanoparticles in primary cultured rat sertoli cells are mediated via a dysregulated Ca2+ /PKC/p38 MAPK/NF-κB cascade

Although numerous studies have demonstrated that titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) can be accumulated in various animal organs and can cause toxicity, there is currently only limited data regarding reproductive toxicity especially on the toxic mechanisms of TiO₂ NPs in Sertoli cells. In order to investigate the mechanism of reproductive toxicity, primary cultured rat Sertoli cells were exposed to 5, 15, or 30 μg/mL TiO₂ NPs for 24 h, and TiO₂ NPs internalization, expression of PKC (p-PKC) and p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK) as well as calcium homeostasis were examined. Our findings demonstrated that TiO₂ NPs crossed the membrane into the cytoplasm or nucleus, and significantly suppressed cell viability of primary cultured rat Sertoli cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, immunological dysfunction caused by TiO₂ NPs was involved in the increased expression of NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-1β, and decreased IκB expression. TiO₂ NPs significantly decreased Ca²⁺ -ATPase and Ca²⁺ /Mg²⁺ -ATPase activity and enhanced intracellular Ca²⁺ levels, and up-regulated the expression of p-PKC and p-p38 MAPK in a dose-dependent manner in primary cultured rat Sertoli cells. Taken together, these findings indicate that TiO₂ NPs may induce immunological dysfunction of primary cultured rat Sertoli cells by stimulating the Ca²⁺ /PKC/p38 MAPK cascade, which triggers NF-κB activation and ultimately induces the expression of inflammatory cytokines in primary cultured rat Sertoli cells. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1374-1382, 2017.

Maternal-engineered nanomaterial exposure disrupts progeny cardiac function and bioenergetics

Nanomaterial production is expanding as new industrial and consumer applications are introduced. Nevertheless, the impacts of exposure to these compounds are not fully realized. The present study was designed to determine whether gestational nano-sized titanium dioxide exposure impacts cardiac and metabolic function of developing progeny. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to nano-aerosols (~10 mg/m³, 130- to 150-nm count median aerodynamic diameter) for 7-8 nonconsecutive days, beginning at gestational day 5-6 Physiological and bioenergetic effects on heart function and cardiomyocytes across three time points, fetal (gestational day 20), neonatal (4-10 days), and young adult (6-12 wk), were evaluated. Functional analysis utilizing echocardiography, speckle-tracking based strain, and cardiomyocyte contractility, coupled with mitochondrial energetics, revealed effects of nano-exposure. Maternal exposed progeny demonstrated a decrease in E- and A-wave velocities, with a 15% higher E-to-A ratio than controls. Myocytes isolated from exposed animals exhibited ~30% decrease in total contractility, departure velocity, and area of contraction. Bioenergetic analysis revealed a significant increase in proton leak across all ages, accompanied by decreases in metabolic function, including basal respiration, maximal respiration, and spare capacity. Finally, electron transport chain complex I and IV activities were negatively impacted in the exposed group, which may be linked to a metabolic shift. Molecular data suggest that an increase in fatty acid metabolism, uncoupling, and cellular stress proteins may be associated with functional deficits of the heart. In conclusion, gestational nano-exposure significantly impairs the functional capabilities of the heart through cardiomyocyte impairment, which is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cardiac function is evaluated, for the first time, in progeny following maternal nanomaterial inhalation. The findings indicate that exposure to nano-sized titanium dioxide (nano-TiO₂) during gestation negatively impacts cardiac function and mitochondrial respiration and bioenergetics. We conclude that maternal nano-TiO₂ inhalation contributes to adverse cardiovascular health effects, lasting into adulthood.