Persistent Endothelial Dysfunction in Humans after Diesel Exhaust Inhalation

Persistent Endothelial Dysfunction in Humans after Diesel Exhaust Inhalation.


Rationale:
Exposure to combustion-derived air pollution is associated with an early (1–2 h) and sustained (24 h) rise in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We have previously demonstrated that inhalation of diesel exhaust causes an immediate (within 2 h) impairment of vascular and endothelial function in humans.

Objectives: To investigate the vascular and systemic effects of diesel exhaust in humans 24 hours after inhalation.
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Conclusions:
Twenty-four hours after diesel exposure, there is a selective and persistent impairment of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation that occurs in the presence of mild systemic inflammation. These findings suggest that combustion-derived air pollution may have important systemic and adverse vascular effects for at least 24 hours after exposure. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17446340