Acrolein inhalation prevents vascular endothelial growth factor-induced mobilization of Flk-1+/Sca-1+ cells in mice.

Objective: Acrolein is a toxic chemical present in tobacco, wood, and coal smoke, as well as automobile exhaust. Because exposure to these pollutants is associated with an increase in cardiovascular disease risk, we studied the effects of acrolein on Flk-1(+)/Sca-1(+) cells that are involved in vascular repair.

Methods And Results: In adult male C57BL/6 mice, inhalation of acrolein (1 part per million [ppm], 6 hours/day for 4 days or 5 ppm for 2 or 6 hours) led to the formation of protein-acrolein adducts in the bone marrow and diminished levels of plasma nitric oxide metabolites and circulating Flk-1(+)/Sca-1(+) but not Sca-1(+)-only cells.