Ambient particulate pollutants in the ultrafine range promote early atherosclerosis and systemic oxidative stress.

ABSTRACT: Air pollution is associated with significant adverse health effects, including increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of <2.5 microm (PM(2.5)) increases ischemic cardiovascular events and promotes atherosclerosis. Moreover, there is increasing evidence that the smallest pollutant particles pose the greatest danger because of their high content of organic chemicals and prooxidative potential. To test this hypothesis, we compared the proatherogenic effects of ambient particles of <0.18 microm (ultrafine particles) with particles of <2.5 microm in genetically susceptible (apolipoprotein E-deficient) mice. These animals were exposed to concentrated ultrafine particles, concentrated particles of <2.5 microm, or filtered air

SUBMITTER: Araujo JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3014059 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature