Inhalation of vanadium pentoxide and its toxic effects in a mouse model

Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) is one of the compounds bound to the suspended material found in the atmosphere and classified as particulate matter. The main source of these pollutants is the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Some of these fuels are rich in vanadium, such as Mexican, Venezuelian and Kuwaity petroleum, and after the incomplete combustion, carbon-core particles are liberated to the atmosphere, with V2O5 adsorbed to its surface. These particles, about 2.5 μm in diameter, are inhaled reaching the alveoli, the pulmonary capillaries, arriving to the systemic circulation and to every system and organ producing different effects. Here we report our findings on a mouse model with V2O5 inhalation. It is important to notice that the toxic effects differ drastically between systems and organs. Some of our findings support the presence of increased vascular events in urban areas with high particulate pollution.