Diesel Exhaust Inhalation Causes Vascular Dysfunction and Impaired Endogenous Fibrinolysis

BACKGROUND: Although the mechanisms are unknown, it has been suggested that transient exposure to traffic-derived air pollution may be a trigger for acute myocardial infarction. The study aim was to investigate the effects of diesel exhaust inhalation on vascular and endothelial function in humans. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study, 30 healthy men were exposed to diluted diesel exhaust (300 microg/m3 particulate concentration) or air for 1 hour during intermittent exercise. Bilateral forearm blood flow and inflammatory factors were measured before and during unilateral intrabrachial bradykinin (100 to 1000 pmol/min), acetylcholine (5 to 20 microg/min), sodium nitroprusside (2…

• WT
  Wellcome Trust
• BH
  British Heart Foundation
• SF
  Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas
• H
  Hjärt-Lungfonden
• V
  Vetenskapsrådet