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Reports from University of Rochester, Department of Medicine highlight recent research in hyperemia
April 7th, 2008
2008 APR 7 -- New investigation results, 'Effect of inhaled carbon ultrafine particles on reactive hyperemia in healthy human subjects,' are detailed in a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives. According to recent research from the United States, "Ultrafine particles (UFP) may contribute to the cardiovascular effects of exposure to particulate air pollution, partly because of their relatively efficient alveolar deposition and potential to enter the pulmonary vascular space. This study tested the hypothesis that inhalation of elemental carbon UFP alters systemic vascular function." "Sixteen healthy subjects (mean age, 26.9 ±6.5 years) inhaled air or 50 microg/m3 elemental carbon UFP by mouthpiece for 2 hr, while exercising intermittently. Measurements at preexposure baseline, 0 hr (immediately after exposure), 3.5 hr, 21 hr, and 45 hr included vital signs, venous occlusion plethysmography and reactive hyperemia of the forearm, and venous plasma nitrate and nitrite levels. Peak forearm blood flow after ischemia increased 3.5 hr after exposure to air but not UFP (change from preexposure baseline, air: 9.31 ±3.41; UFP: 1.09 ±2.55 mL/min/100 mL; t-test, p=0.03). Blood pressure did not change, so minimal resistance after ischemia (mean blood pressure divided by forearm blood flow) decreased with air, but not UFP [change from preexposure baseline, air: -0.48 ±0.21; UFP: 0.07 ±0.19 mmHg/mL/min; analysis of variance (ANOVA), p=0.024]. There was no UFP effect on pre-ischemia forearm blood flow or resistance, or on total forearm blood flow after ischemia. Venous nitrate levels were significantly lower after exposure to carbon UFP compared with air (ANOVA, p=0.038). There were no differences in venous nitrite levels," wrote A.P. Shah and colleagues, University of Rochester, Department of Medicine. The researchers concluded: "Inhalation of 50 microg/m3 carbon UFP during intermittent exercise impairs peak forearm blood flow during reactive hyperemia in healthy human subjects." Shah and colleagues published their study in Environmental Health Perspectives (Effect of inhaled carbon ultrafine particles on reactive hyperemia in healthy human subjects. Environmental Health Perspectives, 2008;116(3):375-80). For additional information, contact A.P. Shah, University of Rochester Medical Center, Dept. of Medicine, Rochester, New York USA.. Publisher contact information for the journal Environmental Health Perspectives is: Us Dept. Health Human Sciences Public Health Science, National Institute Health, National Institute Environmental Health Sciences, PO Box 12233, Research Triangle Pk, NC 27709-2233, USA. Keywords: United States, Rochester, Air Pollution, Cardiology, Cardiovascular, Environmental Health, Hyperemia, Ischemia. This article was prepared by Cardiovascular Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Cardiovascular Week via NewsRx.com.
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