Diesel exhaust particles induce endothelial dysfunction in apoE-/- mice.

Background: Particulate air pollution can aggravate cardiovascular disease by mechanisms suggested to involve translocation of particles to the bloodstream and impairment of endothelial function, possibly dependent on present atherosclerosis.

Aim: We investigated the effects of exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEP) in vivo and ex vivo on vasomotor functions in aorta from apoE(-/-) mice with slight atherosclerosis and from normal apoE(+/+) mice.

Methods: DEP 0, 0.