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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Exposure to nitrogen dioxide is not associated with vascular dysfunction in man
Jeremy P Langrish1, Magnus Lundbäck, Stefan Barath
1Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Inhalation Toxicology
|January 6, 2010
Summary
Exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) did not affect vascular function or blood clotting in healthy individuals. This suggests NO2 may not be a primary driver of air pollution
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Air pollution exposure is linked to increased cardiorespiratory issues.
- The specific role of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) versus particulate matter in these effects remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the impact of NO2 exposure on vascular vasomotor and fibrinolytic functions.
Main Methods:
- Healthy male volunteers underwent controlled exposure to NO2 or filtered air.
- Vascular responses and fibrinolytic markers were assessed via infusions of vasodilators and agonists.
- Pulmonary function and exhaled nitric oxide were also monitored.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in forearm blood flow or vasodilator responses were observed between NO2 and filtered air exposures.
- Bradykinin-induced increases in tissue-plasminogen activator were similar in both exposure groups.
- Lung function and exhaled nitric oxide levels remained unchanged post-exposure.
Conclusions:
- Inhalation of nitrogen dioxide at 4 ppm does not impair vascular vasomotor or fibrinolytic function in healthy individuals.
- NO2 is unlikely to be a major factor in the cardiovascular harm attributed to air pollution.
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