Diesel Exhaust Inhalation, Systemic Nitric Oxide Inhibition and Cardiac Output
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2010-06-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Exposure to combustion-derived fine particulate air pollution is associated with
cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. In previous studies, exposure to diesel exhaust (a
major constituent of urban particulate air pollution) has been shown to impair two important
functions of the vascular endothelium: vascular vasomotor function and endogenous
fibrinolysis. Our subsequent studies suggest this impairment of vascular function is mediated
by a reduction in nitric oxide bioavailability. In this study we aim to investigate the
cardiovascular responses to systemic nitric oxide synthase inhibition following exposure to
dilute diesel exhaust.