A controlled chamber study of effects of exposure to diesel exhaust particles and noise on heart rate variability and endothelial function

• Background: Adverse cardiovascular effects are associated with both diesel exhaust and road traffic noise, but these exposures are hard to disentangle epidemiologically. We used an experimental setup to evaluate the impact of diesel exhaust particles and traffic noise, alone and combined, on intermediary outcomes related to the autonomic nervous system and increased cardiovascular risk. Methods: In a controlled chamber 18 healthy adults were exposed to four scenarios in a randomized cross-over fashion. Each exposure scenario consisted of either filtered (clean) air or diesel engine exhaust (particle mass concentrations around 300 µg/m3), and either low (46 dB(A)) or high (75 dB(A)) levels of traffic noise for 3 h at rest. ECG was recorded for 10-min periods before and during each exposure type, and frequency-domain heart rate variability (HRV) computed. Endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness were assessed after each exposure using EndoPAT 2000. Results: Compared to control exposure, HRV in the high frequency band decreased during exposure to diesel exhaust, both alone and combined with noise, but not during noise exposure only. These differences were more pronounced in women. We observed no synergistic effects of combined exposure, and no significant differences between exposure scenarios for other HRV indices, endothelial function or arterial stiffness. Conclusion: Three-hour exposure to diesel exhaust, but not noise, was associated with decreased HRV in the high frequency band. This indicates activation of irritant receptor-mediated autonomic reflexes, a possible mechanism for the cardiovascular risks of diesel exposure. There was no effect on endothelial dysfunction or arterial stiffness after exposure. © 2022 The Author(s). 

Subject headings

LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER  -- Annan lantbruksvetenskap -- Förnyelsebar bioenergi (hsv//swe)

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  -- Other Agricultural Sciences -- Renewable Bioenergy Research (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Kemiteknik -- Kemiska processer (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Chemical Engineering -- Chemical Process Engineering (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Farmakologi och toxikologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Pharmacology and Toxicology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

aerosol

cardiovascular

Diesel

endothelial function

heart rate variability

noise

PM1

adult

analysis

cardiovascular system

chemistry

controlled study

exhaust gas

female

heart rate

human

lung

particulate matter

randomized controlled trial

toxicity

Humans

Vehicle Emissions

Adult

Cardiovascular System

Female

Heart Rate

Humans

Lung/chemistry

Particulate Matter/toxicity

Vehicle Emissions/analysis

Diesel

noise

aerosol

heart rate variability

endothelial function

cardiovascular

PM1

cardiac autonomic control

fine particulate matter

respiratory sinus

arrhythmia

short-term exposure

air-pollution

vascular function

oxidative stress

inflammation

dysfunction

inhalation

Toxicology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)