Published online before print September 17, 2007, doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.107.095844
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Hypertension. 2007;50:970.)
© 2007 American Heart Association, Inc.
Original Articles |
Endothelial Function and Chronic Exposure to Air Pollution in Normal Male Subjects
From the Faculté de Médecine René Descartes (M.B., C.C., S.L., F.A-G., P.B.), Université Paris-Descartes, INSERM, UMR872, Paris, France; Departments of Pharmacology (M.B., C.C., S.L., A.T., M.Agharazii, P.B.) and Genetics (X.J.), Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France; and Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (M.Azizi), Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, INSERM, CIC 9201, Paris, France.
Correspondence to Pierre Boutouyrie, Department of Pharmacology and INSERM UMR872, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, 20, rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris, France. E-mail pierre.boutouyrie{at}egp.aphp.fr
 |
Abstract |
|---|
 Top Abstract IntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
Exposure to urban air pollution, ultrafine particles or gases, is associated with acute cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. We investigated the effect of ambient air pollution on endothelial function in 40 healthy white male nonsmokers spontaneously breathing ambient air in Paris, France. Air pollutant levels (nitrogen, sulfur and carbon oxides, and particulate matter) were averaged during the 5 days preceding arterial measurements. Brachial artery endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation and reactive hyperemia induced by hand ischemia and endothelium-independent glyceryl trinitrate dilatation were measured using a radiofrequency-based echo-tracking device at 2-week intervals. Flow-mediated dilatation was independently and negatively correlated with the average levels of sulfur dioxide (P<0.001) and nitrogen monoxide (P<0.01). Sulfur dioxide levels explained 19% of the variance of flow-mediated dilatation. An increase in gaseous pollutants, 2 weeks apart, was significantly associated with a decreased in flow-mediated dilatation. No association was found between air pollutants and glyceryl trinitrate–induced vasodilatation. Reactive hyperemia was significantly and positively correlated with particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters <10 µm and <2.5 µm (P<0.0001 and P<0.001, respectively) and nitrogen dioxide (P<0.01). An increase in particulate matter, 2 weeks apart, was significantly correlated with an increase in reactive hyperemia. Endothelial function was impaired by ordinary levels of pollution in healthy young males, in an urban area, and may be reduced by 50% between the least and the most polluted day. Gaseous pollutants affect large artery endothelial function, whereas particulate matter exaggerates the dilatory response of small arteries to ischemia.
Key Words: brachial arteries • ultrasonography • pathology • mechanical stresses • air pollution • endothelium
|
Introduction |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
Air pollution is a worldwide public health problem. Numerous short- and long-term epidemiological analyses in European and North American cities have clearly demonstrated an association between air pollution and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.1–6 The American Heart Association recently pointed out the necessity to increase the research effort on the effect of air pollution on cardiovascular disease.7,8 Air pollution has been involved in arrhythmia, heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, and thrombocytic disease.9–11 Recently, particles levels have been correlated with an increase in cardiovascular events in healthy women.12 This study suggests that pollution toxicity interests not only patients with preexisting cardiovascular disease but also healthy subjects.
Most epidemiological studies focused on solid pollutants, ie, particulate matter ([PM] PM10 and PM2.5 with aerodynamic diameters <10 µm and <2.5 µm, respectively)2–6,12 but less attention was paid to gaseous pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO), monoxide and dioxide of nitrogen (NO and NO2, respectively), and sulfur dioxide (SO2), despite the fact that gaseous pollutants are also involved in cardiovascular toxicity.1
Endothelial dysfunction is an early feature of the atherogenic process13–15 and is a predictor of cardiovascular events and death in patients with hypertension,16 coronary heart disease,17–20 heart failure,21 and in a population-based cohort.22 The effect of air pollution on endothelial function is equivocal. Healthy subjects exposed to a high level of pollutants, either diluted diesel exhaust23 or concentrated ambient fine particles plus ozone,24 were accompanied by endothelial dysfunction or arterial vasoconstriction without endothelial dysfunction, respectively. In patients with diabetes, air pollutants at ordinary urban levels were correlated with an impairment of vascular reactivity and endothelial function.25
We, thus, investigated the impact of various air pollutants at ordinary urban levels on endothelial function in healthy subjects, nonsmokers who were devoid of cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of the present study was to quantify the impact of gaseous and PM pollutants both on a large conducting artery, the brachial artery, through the investigation of flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and on small arteries through the investigation of reactive hyperemia in response to the release of hand ischemia.
|
Methods |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
Subjects
The present study is an ancillary investigation of a previously published study26 designed to evaluate the arterial effects of partial genetic deficiency in tissue kallikrein activity on endothelial function. In the main study, we screened 206 white male subjects aged 18 to 35 years for the kallikrein R53H genotype and the following inclusion criteria: strictly nonsmoker and not exposed to passive smoking, noncannabinol users (all of the subjects tested negative for urinary cotinine and cannabinol levels), strictly normotensive, normal clinical examination, normal plasma creatinine and serum cholesterol concentrations (<5.2 mmol/L), and no proteinuria. Ten heterozygous subjects (R53H) and the first 30 consecutive homozygous subjects (R53R) were included. Subjects were studied twice at 2-week intervals, in a crossover design, after being randomly assigned to 1 of 2 experimental diets for 7 days: either a low-sodium and high-potassium diet or a high-sodium and low-potassium diet (Na+/K+ diet).26 All 40 of the subjects completed the ancillary study after giving written informed consent. The protocol to recruit study participants and all of the procedures were reviewed and approved by an institutional review committee (Paris-Cochin, France) and adhered to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.
Noninvasive Measurement of Flow-Mediated, Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilatation
Endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery was studied in response to 5-minute hand ischemia and was compared with the endothelium-independent response to sublingual glyceryl trinitrate (GTN).27 The complete method has been described previously.26 Briefly, subjects were instructed to lie down in a temperature-controlled room (21°C to 23°C) with their right arm secured comfortably on a support. Measurements were performed between 9:00 and 11:00 AM. The diameter and wall thickness of the brachial artery and blood velocity profiles were continuously measured with a high-resolution radiofrequency-based echo-tracking system (Wall Track System, Esaote Pie-Medical) using a 7.5-MHz ultrasound probe.27–30 Diameter and blood velocity were measured at baseline (after 15 minutes of rest in supine position), during 5 minutes of hand ischemia, during 120 seconds of reactive hand hyperemia (produced by releasing a pneumatic wrist cuff inflated to 50 mm Hg above the systolic blood pressure for 5 minutes), and 3 minutes after administration of 150 µg of sublingual GTN (Natispray, 0.15 mg/dose, Procter&Gamble Pharmaceuticals, France). Postischemic flow-mediated, endothelium-dependent vasodilatation was determined as the maximal increase in brachial artery diameter during reactive hyperemia, calculated as the moving average of 3 consecutive diameter measurements. Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation was determined as the maximal increase in brachial artery diameter after GTN administration. We used hyperemic mean flow (maximum mean central velocity after ischemia release) as an index of reactive hyperemia, ie, the ability of peripheral small arteries to dilate after hand ischemia.31 The interobserver variations in the baseline diameter and percentage of postocclusion vasodilatation were 0.7% and 19.0%, respectively.26
Air Pollution
Air pollution data were extracted from the AIRPARIF (http://www.airparif.asso.fr), a monitoring network of air pollution in the Paris conurbation. Measurements were made according to standard techniques and quality control.1,32
We chose the measurement station closest to HEGP Hospital, ie, Auteuil station, which is 1000 m from HEGP Hospital. This automatic station gives hourly levels of major air pollutants (NO, NO2, SO2, CO, PM10, and PM2.5). Preliminary analysis using the modelization facilities of AirParif (St v.4 Kisters France SAS) showed that HEGP Hospital was exposed to nearly identical levels of pollution compared with Auteuil station. We extracted the values of pollutants on the day of arterial examination (D0) and during the 5 days preceding it (5-D). We used the 24-hour average value of each pollutant, the morning average for D0, and the peak value of D0 in statistical analysis.
Statistical Analysis
Statistics were performed using NCSS 2004 software (Gerry Hintze). Data are expressed as mean±SD. Relations between air pollutants and endothelial function were studied using multiple robust regression analysis, using each visit as an independent observation. We also built an air pollution score by adding the rank of each pollutant (SO2, NO, and CO) on a definite day (normalized between 0 and 100). Systematic adjustments were made on the R53R/R53H genotype, diet, subject factor, visit, and air temperature (24-hour average). We further studied the influence of changes in air pollutant concentration on changes in endothelial function between the 2 periods. Because of multiple testing, we only interpreted P<0.01 as significant (Bonferroni correction).
|
Results |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
Subjects
Forty healthy men were studied. Arterial blood pressure and vascular characteristics are presented in Table 1.
|
Air Pollution
The observed air pollution during the study period was close to the average air pollution in Paris for the 2000–2006 period. Indeed, the mean values of 5-D air pollutants were at the 45th, 50th, or 55th percentile of 24-hour mean values for the 2000–2006 period. Values observed on D0 were slightly above (55th to 65th percentile). Subjects were occasionally exposed to high levels of air pollutants, because the peak value during the 5-D period was at the 99th percentile of the 2000–2006 period mean 24-hour values (please see the data supplement available online at http://hyper.ahajournals.org).
Correlations Between Air Pollutants and Endothelial Function
After adjustment for Na+/K+ diet, R53R/R53H genotype, visit, and subject factor, independent negative relationships were observed between flow-mediated dilatation and 5-D mean values of SO2 (P<0.001; Table 2 and Figure 1) and NO (P<0.01; Table 2). FMD was reduced by 50% between the least and the most polluted day, whereas endothelium-independent dilatation was not significantly modified (Figure 2). Pollution score, taking into account levels of NO, CO, and SO2, was negatively correlated with flow-mediated dilatation (P<0.001; Table 2). These correlations remained significant after adjustment for baseline diameter and average day air temperature. Flow-mediated dilatation was independently and negatively correlated with mean values of SO2 at D0 (P<0.001). Correlations with D0 gaseous pollutants were in general accordance with 5-D correlations, but with lower significance, except for SO2, which explained 23% of the variance of flow-mediated dilatation (data not shown). No correlation was found between flow-mediated dilatation and NO2, PM2.5, and PM10 (Table 2). Changes in diameter after GTN were not correlated with air pollutants levels (data not shown).
|
|
|
Changes in Air Pollutants and Changes in Endothelial Function
Changes toward higher levels of pollution led to lower levels of endothelial function. In univariate analysis, changes in amplitude of flow-mediated dilatation were highly dependent on changes in SO2 (r=0.43; P<0.01), more weakly on NO (r=0.39; P=0.015) and CO (r=0.39; P=0.015), but not on changes in NO2, PM2.5, or PM10. Because changes in endothelial function between visits 1 and 2 were, by definition, strongly dependent on the initial value of endothelial function (r2=0.51; P<0.0001), we further adjusted endothelial function changes to baseline values. In multivariate analysis, changes in SO2 and pollution score explained 10% and 13% of the variance of changes in the amplitude of flow-mediated dilatation, respectively (Table 2).
Correlations Between Air Pollutants and Small Artery Reactive Hyperemia
As described previously, the R53H genotype was significantly associated with higher blood velocity.26 After adjustment for diet, R53R/R53H genotype, visit, air temperature, and subject factor, the 5-D mean values of PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 were significantly and positively correlated with small artery reactive hyperemia (P<0.0001, P<0.001, and P<0.01, respectively; Table 3 and Figure 3). Further adjustment on baseline diameter showed that larger diameter was associated with larger reactive hyperemia (P<0.001), but this adjustment did not affect the correlations with PM2.5, PM10, and NO2. No correlation was found between mean value of SO2, NO, and CO and small artery reactive hyperemia. Changes in the 5-D mean value of PM2.5 between the 2 visits explained 13% of the variance of changes in small-artery reactive hyperemia after adjustment on baseline values. Similar results were observed when blood flow was used instead of blood velocity. No correlation was found between air pollutants and the hyperemic:ischemia mean flow ratio (data not shown).
|
|
|
Discussion |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
In the present study, we demonstrated that, in young healthy volunteers devoid of cardiovascular risk factors and strictly nonsmokers, exposition to ambient air pollution, notably exposition to gaseous pollutants (SO2 and NO), led to a significant alteration in endothelial function in a large artery. We also showed that changes in air pollution at 2-week intervals accounted for 19% of the variance of endothelial function. We further found that exposure to particles (PM2.5 and PM10) and NO2 is associated with exaggerated dilatory responses of small arteries in response to hand ischemia. We, thus, demonstrated that the various components of air pollution had differential effects on large and small arteries: gaseous pollutants impaired flow-mediated brachial artery dilation, whereas PM and NO2 enhanced the ability of small arteries to dilate in response to ischemia.
Interpretation of Findings
Our main finding is that exposition of young healthy volunteers to ambient air pollution, notably gaseous pollutants (SO2 and NO), led to a significant alteration in endothelial function. This important impairment was observed for relatively low levels of pollution. Indeed, Paris is exposed to dominant winds, has virtually no polluting industries, and charcoal or petrol heating is marginal. Thus, Paris is among the less polluted capitals in Europe.32 Nevertheless, FMD could be reduced by 50% between the least polluted and the most polluted day (Figure 2), a change which is comparable to the usual difference observed between diseased patients and healthy control subjects.33 These baseline correlations are reinforced, because changes in air pollution at 2-week intervals accounted for 19% of the variance of endothelial function. This result shows that the variability of measurement at repeated investigation is influenced by changes in air pollution. We did not find any correlation between air pollutants and endothelium independent GTN-induced brachial artery dilatation (Figure 2). Thus, these results suggest a direct effect of air pollutants on endothelial function rather than an effect on smooth muscle relaxation.
Correlation between air pollutants and endothelial function is stronger with the 5-D mean value of air pollutant than with D0 value. This observation suggests a cumulative effect of air pollutant exposure on endothelial function.
An important result of the present study is that the negative correlation between air pollution and flow-mediated dilatation is the strongest for the SO2 level. The principal source of SO2 is the combustion of sulfur-containing fuels, diesel engines, and roasting of metal sulfide ores.7 Epidemiological studies are consistent with a toxic effect of SO2 adversely acting on cardiac morbidity and mortality.1,5,34 SO2 could induce pulmonary inflammation35 and general inflammation36 together with oxidative damage in the lung and heart.37 Experimental and epidemiological studies have demonstrated that acute systemic inflammation impairs endothelium-dependent dilatation,38–41 and oxidative stress could lead to a reduction in NO bioavailability and subsequent endothelial dysfunction.39
Among all of the pollutants studied, only gaseous pollutants were correlated with an alteration in large-artery FMD. No significant association was found with particulate matter. This result contrasts with epidemiological4,5 and experimental studies.23,42,43 PM, which is classified within defined size ranges, is very heterogeneous in its composition. We have no data about chemical composition of particles in our study, and the level of PM <0.1 µm is not available in Paris. This variability in composition of PM may explain the disparity between the studies. Most experimental studies showed that both endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilatation were altered after exposition to air pollutants in humans23 and animals.42 These studies used PM levels 5- to 10-fold higher than the one measured in Paris during the present study. At these high concentrations, particles may exert a toxic effect on vasomotor tone, beyond endothelial dysfunction. At the level of PM observed during the present study, we did not observe any change in GTN-induced vasodilatory response of the brachial artery but an exaggerated dilatory response of small arteries to hand ischemia. One particularity of our finding is that the absolute value of peripheral vasodilation, rather than the percentage of increase in flow, was correlated with PM levels. This unexpected effect may be related to a significant increase in inflammation after exposure to particles.42 Inflammatory states may have a dual effect on vascular function, both altering the endothelial response of large arteries and causing small-artery vasodilatation.38 We could not explore these mechanisms in the present study, and further experimental studies are necessary to understand the present findings.
Methodologic Features and Limitations of the Study
The present study has several strengths. The subjects investigated in the present study constitute a homogeneous sample of young healthy males, with no previous exposure to tobacco and no cardiovascular risk factors. Thus, the confounding effects of age, gender, and cardiovascular risk factors can be ruled out. Second, measurement of endothelial function was performed with "gold-standard" techniques and repeated at 2-week intervals. Third, measurement of air pollution was performed by automatic devices and completely independent of vascular investigations.
Sunlight and humidity are known factors influencing the balance between air pollutants. Given the high variability of weather on a day-to-day basis, it was difficult to adjust beyond mean day temperature and building air pollution scores. Further adjustment on general weather could further reduce the variance of FMD.
One important limitation is that subjects were allowed to live outside the hospital during the study. Although all of the participants were living in the Paris area and had to come twice daily to the hospital for their meals, they could have been exposed to different levels of pollution during the study.
We chose to express FMD with reference to ischemia, not baseline. This is because of the fact that, in our setting, we observed that cuff inflation was accompanied by a sharp parallel decrease in blood flow and diameter (endothelium dependent44), which represented one third of the global FMD response. We verified that correlations were similar when FMD was expressed with reference to baseline, albeit with slightly lower levels of significance.
Although the dose of GTN used in the present study was lower than the one usually recommended,45 the vasodilatory response to GTN was large compared with FMD. This could limit the relevance of the absence of influence of air pollution on endothelium-independent vasodilatation.
Conclusions and Perspectives
The present study demonstrates that 5-D average ambient air pollution is associated with altered endothelial function and that the changes in air pollution at 2-week intervals condition changes in endothelial function. In one of the less polluted capitals of Europe, endothelial function may decrease by 50% between the least polluted and the most polluted day, a change that is comparable to the usual difference observed between diseased patients and healthy control subjects. Because endothelial dysfunction is an early feature of vascular disease, the present study suggests that ambient air pollution should be taken into account when establishing the CV risk profile of a subject. Second, because gaseous air pollutants account for a significant part of the variability of endothelial function, it can be useful to monitor air pollution during clinical studies and adjust results on the level of gaseous air pollutants.
|
Acknowledgments |
|---|
Source of Funding
This study was funded by the French Ministry of Health, Délégation à la Recherche Clinique, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique (PHRC AOR#01050).
Disclosures
None.
Received June 7, 2007; first decision June 27, 2007; accepted August 9, 2007.
|
References |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
- Sunyer J, Ballester F, Tertre AL, Atkinson R, Ayres JG, Forastiere F, Forsberg B, Vonk JM, Bisanti L, Tenias JM, Medina S, Schwartz J, Katsouyanni K. The association of daily sulfur dioxide air pollution levels with hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases in Europe (the Aphea-II study). Eur Heart J. 2003; 24: 752–760.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Samet JM, Dominici F, Curriero FC, Coursac I, Zeger SL. Fine particulate air pollution and mortality in 20 U.S. cities, 1987–1994. N Engl J Med. 2000; 343: 1742–1749.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Pope CA, III, Burnett RT, Thun MJ, Calle EE, Krewski D, Ito K, Thurston GD. Lung cancer, cardiopulmonary mortality, and long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution. JAMA. 2002; 287: 1132–1141.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Le Tertre A, Medina S, Samoli E, Forsberg B, Michelozzi P, Boumghar A, Vonk JM, Bellini A, Atkinson R, Ayres JG, Sunyer J, Schwartz J, Katsouyanni K. Short-term effects of particulate air pollution on cardiovascular diseases in eight European cities. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2002; 56: 773–779.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Dockery DW, Pope CA, III, Xu X, Spengler JD, Ware JH, Fay ME, Ferris BG Jr, Speizer FE. An association between air pollution and mortality in six U.S. cities. N Engl J Med. 1993; 329: 1753–1759.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Maitre A, Bonneterre V, Huillard L, Sabatier P, de Gaudemaris R. Impact of urban atmospheric pollution on coronary disease. Eur Heart J. 2006; 27: 2275–2284.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Brook RD, Franklin B, Cascio W, Hong Y, Howard G, Lipsett M, Luepker R, Mittleman M, Samet J, Smith SC Jr, Tager I. Air pollution and cardiovascular disease: a statement for healthcare professionals from the Expert Panel on Population and Prevention Science of the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2004; 109: 2655–2671.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- OMS Report. Pollution. Available at: http://www.who.int/publications/cra/chapters/volume2/1353–1434.pdf. Accessed August 2007.
- Hoek G, Brunekreef B, Fischer P, van Wijnen J. The association between air pollution and heart failure, arrhythmia, embolism, thrombosis, and other cardiovascular causes of death in a time series study. Epidemiology. 2001; 12: 355–357.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Mann JK, Tager IB, Lurmann F, Segal M, Quesenberry CP Jr, Lugg MM, Shan J, Van Den Eeden SK. Air pollution and hospital admissions for ischemic heart disease in persons with congestive heart failure or arrhythmia. Environ Health Perspect. 2002; 110: 1247–1252.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Ruidavets JB, Cournot M, Cassadou S, Giroux M, Meybeck M, Ferrieres J. Ozone air pollution is associated with acute myocardial infarction. Circulation. 2005; 111: 563–569.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Miller KA, Siscovick DS, Sheppard L, Shepherd K, Sullivan JH, Anderson GL, Kaufman JD. Long-term exposure to air pollution and incidence of cardiovascular events in women. N Engl J Med. 2007; 356: 447–458.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Ross R. Atherosclerosis–an inflammatory disease. N Engl J Med. 1999; 340: 115–126.
[Free Full Text] - Kinlay S, Ganz P. Role of endothelial dysfunction in coronary artery disease and implications for therapy. Am J Cardiol. 1997; 80: 11I–16I.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Bonetti PO, Lerman LO, Lerman A. Endothelial dysfunction: a marker of atherosclerotic risk. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2003; 23: 168–175.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Perticone F, Ceravolo R, Pujia A, Ventura G, Iacopino S, Scozzafava A, Ferraro A, Chello M, Mastroroberto P, Verdecchia P, Schillaci G. Prognostic significance of endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive patients. Circulation. 2001; 104: 191–196.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Fichtlscherer S, Breuer S, Zeiher AM. Prognostic value of systemic endothelial dysfunction in patients with acute coronary syndromes: further evidence for the existence of the "vulnerable" patient. Circulation. 2004; 110: 1926–1932.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Halcox JP, Schenke WH, Zalos G, Mincemoyer R, Prasad A, Waclawiw MA, Nour KR, Quyyumi AA. Prognostic value of coronary vascular endothelial dysfunction. Circulation. 2002; 106: 653–658.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Heitzer T, Schlinzig T, Krohn K, Meinertz T, Munzel T. Endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and risk of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease. Circulation. 2001; 104: 2673–2678.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Schachinger V, Britten MB, Zeiher AM. Prognostic impact of coronary vasodilator dysfunction on adverse long-term outcome of coronary heart disease. Circulation. 2000; 101: 1899–1906.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Heitzer T, Baldus S, von Kodolitsch Y, Rudolph V, Meinertz T. Systemic endothelial dysfunction as an early predictor of adverse outcome in heart failure. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2005; 25: 1174–1179.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Shimbo D, Grahame-Clarke C, Miyake Y, Rodriguez C, Sciacca R, Di Tullio M, Boden-Albala B, Sacco R, Homma S. The association between endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular outcomes in a population-based multi-ethnic cohort. Atherosclerosis. 2007; 192: 197–203.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Mills NL, Tornqvist H, Robinson SD, Gonzalez M, Darnley K, MacNee W, Boon NA, Donaldson K, Blomberg A, Sandstrom T, Newby DE. Diesel exhaust inhalation causes vascular dysfunction and impaired endogenous fibrinolysis. Circulation. 2005; 112: 3930–3936.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Brook RD, Brook JR, Urch B, Vincent R, Rajagopalan S, Silverman F. Inhalation of fine particulate air pollution and ozone causes acute arterial vasoconstriction in healthy adults. Circulation. 2002; 105: 1534–1536.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - O’Neill MS, Veves A, Zanobetti A, Sarnat JA, Gold DR, Economides PA, Horton ES, Schwartz J. Diabetes enhances vulnerability to particulate air pollution-associated impairment in vascular reactivity and endothelial function. Circulation. 2005; 111: 2913–2920.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Azizi M, Boutouyrie P, Bissery A, Agharazii M, Verbeke F, Stern N, Bura-Riviere A, Laurent S, Alhenc-Gelas F, Jeunemaitre X. Arterial and renal consequences of partial genetic deficiency in tissue kallikrein activity in humans. J Clin Invest. 2005; 115: 780–787.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Hoeks AP, Samijo SK, Brands PJ, Reneman RS. Noninvasive determination of shear-rate distribution across the arterial lumen. Hypertension. 1995; 26: 26–33.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Boutouyrie P, Bussy C, Lacolley P, Girerd X, Laloux B, Laurent S. Association between local pulse pressure, mean blood pressure, and large-artery remodeling. Circulation. 1999; 100: 1387–1393.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Boutouyrie P, Bussy C, Hayoz D, Hengstler J, Dartois N, Laloux B, Brunner H, Laurent S. Local pulse pressure and regression of arterial wall hypertrophy during long-term antihypertensive treatment. Circulation. 2000; 101: 2601–2606.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Brands PJ, Hoeks AP, Hofstra L, Reneman RS. A noninvasive method to estimate wall shear rate using ultrasound. Ultrasound Med Biol. 1995; 21: 171–185.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Vita JA, Keaney JF Jr, Larson MG, Keyes MJ, Massaro JM, Lipinska I, Lehman BT, Fan S, Osypiuk E, Wilson PW, Vasan RS, Mitchell GF, Benjamin EJ. Brachial artery vasodilator function and systemic inflammation in the Framingham Offspring Study. Circulation. 2004; 110: 3604–3609.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Katsouyanni K, Touloumi G, Samoli E, Gryparis A, Le Tertre A, Monopolis Y, Rossi G, Zmirou D, Ballester F, Boumghar A, Anderson HR, Wojtyniak B, Paldy A, Braunstein R, Pekkanen J, Schindler C, Schwartz J. Confounding and effect modification in the short-term effects of ambient particles on total mortality: results from 29 European cities within the APHEA2 project. Epidemiology. 2001; 12: 521–531.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Joannides R, Bakkali EH, Le Roy F, Rivault O, Godin M, Moore N, Fillastre JP, Thuillez C. Altered flow-dependent vasodilatation of conduit arteries in maintenance haemodialysis. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 1997; 12: 2623–2628.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Burnett RT, Cakmak S, Brook JR, Krewski D. The role of particulate size and chemistry in the association between summertime ambient air pollution and hospitalization for cardiorespiratory diseases. Environ Health Perspect. 1997; 105: 614–620.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Sandstrom T, Stjernberg N, Andersson MC, Kolmodin-Hedman B, Lindstrom K, Rosenhall L. Cell response in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after sulfur dioxide exposure. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1989; 15: 142–146.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Tan WC, Qiu D, Liam BL, Ng TP, Lee SH, van Eeden SF, D’Yachkova Y, Hogg JC. The human bone marrow response to acute air pollution caused by forest fires. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2000; 161: 1213–1217.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Meng Z, Qin G, Zhang B, Geng H, Bai Q, Bai W, Liu C. Oxidative damage of sulfur dioxide inhalation on lungs and hearts of mice. Environ Res. 2003; 93: 285–292.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Hingorani AD, Cross J, Kharbanda RK, Mullen MJ, Bhagat K, Taylor M, Donald AE, Palacios M, Griffin GE, Deanfield JE, MacAllister RJ, Vallance P. Acute systemic inflammation impairs endothelium-dependent dilatation in humans. Circulation. 2000; 102: 994–999.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Fichtlscherer S, Breuer S, Schachinger V, Dimmeler S, Zeiher AM. C-reactive protein levels determine systemic nitric oxide bioavailability in patients with coronary artery disease. Eur Heart J. 2004; 25: 1412–1418.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Fichtlscherer S, Rosenberger G, Walter DH, Breuer S, Dimmeler S, Zeiher AM. Elevated C-reactive protein levels and impaired endothelial vasoreactivity in patients with coronary artery disease. Circulation. 2000; 102: 1000–1006.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Prasad A, Zhu J, Halcox JP, Waclawiw MA, Epstein SE, Quyyumi AA. Predisposition to atherosclerosis by infections: role of endothelial dysfunction. Circulation. 2002; 106: 184–190.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Sun Q, Wang A, Jin X, Natanzon A, Duquaine D, Brook RD, Aguinaldo JG, Fayad ZA, Fuster V, Lippmann M, Chen LC, Rajagopalan S. Long-term air pollution exposure and acceleration of atherosclerosis and vascular inflammation in an animal model. JAMA. 2005; 294: 3003–3010.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Yamawaki H, Iwai N. Mechanisms underlying nano-sized air-pollution-mediated progression of atherosclerosis: carbon black causes cytotoxic injury/inflammation and inhibits cell growth in vascular endothelial cells. Circ J. 2006; 70: 129–140.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Mullen MJ, Kharbanda RK, Cross J, Donald AE, Taylor M, Vallance P, Deanfield JE, MacAllister RJ. Heterogenous nature of flow-mediated dilatation in human conduit arteries in vivo: relevance to endothelial dysfunction in hypercholesterolemia. Circ Res. 2001; 88: 145–151.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Corretti MC, Anderson TJ, Benjamin EJ, Celermajer D, Charbonneau F, Creager MA, Deanfield J, Drexler H, Gerhard-Herman M, Herrington D, Vallance P, Vita J, Vogel R. Guidelines for the ultrasound assessment of endothelial-dependent flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery: a report of the International Brachial Artery Reactivity Task Force. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2002; 39: 257–265.
[Abstract/Free Full Text]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||