Association of air pollutants and genetic polymorphism on the initiation of atherosclerosis

The harmful effects of air pollution on atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ACVD) are well-documented;[1] even short-term exposure to air pollutants isassociated with cardiovascular disorder.[2,3] The underlying mechanisms have yet to be determined; pulmonary and systemic oxidative stress and inflammatoryresponses provoking endothelial dysfunction, disturbance of the platelet function, blood coagulability, andthrombosis are suggested to be the effects of air pollutants.[4,5] Some experimental studies have confirmed the possible effect of air pollutants on the blood vesselendothelium and in turn on increasing the risk of atherosclerosis.[6-