Cardiology Research, ISSN 1923-2829 print, 1923-2837 online, Open Access
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Review

Volume 13, Number 5, October 2022, pages 268-282

The Role of Fine Particles (PM 2.5) in the Genesis of Atherosclerosis and Myocardial Damage: Emphasis on Clinical and Epidemiological Data, and Pathophysiological Mechanisms

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1. Mechanisms of PM 2.5 penetration into endotheliocytes and adverse intracellular effects.
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Transformation of macrophages into foam cells via intracellular molecular pathway (TLR4/MyD88/NF-kB).
Figure 3.
Figure 3. PM2.5-induced atherosclerosis: pathophysiological mechanisms.

Table

Table 1. Epidemiological Studies on the Relation of PM 2.5 With Atherosclerosis
 
Study date and country and/or localityNumber of individuals examinedAverage concentration of PM 2.5 in the air, µg/m3Assessed biomarker of subclinical atherosclerosisKey study findings evidencing the relation between pollution of air with PM 2.5 and subclinical markers of atherosclerosisSource
CIMT: carotid intima-media thickness; CAC: coronary artery calcification; TAC: thoracic aortic calcification; ABI: ankle-brachialis index; CI: confidence interval.
1998 - 2003, Los-Angeles (USA)n = 79820.3CIMTStrong correlation between increased PM 2.5 levels and CIMT value. For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM 2.5, the average increase in CIMT was 5.9% (95% CI: 1-11%). The largest increase in CIMT (by 15.7% (95% CI: 5.7-26.6%)) was characteristic of women aged 60 years.Kunzli
et al [35]
2007 - 2009, University of Southern California (USA)n = 86115.7CIMTThe increase in the degree of air pollution with PM 2.5 with the increase in CIMT by 7.8 µm (95% CI: 0.3-15.9) and 10.1 µm (95% CI: 1.8-18.5) in children aged 0 - 5 years and children aged 6 - 12 years, respectively.Breton et al [36]
2000 - 2003, Germanyn = 3,38016.8CIMTThe increase in content of PM 2.5 was associated with the 4.3% increase in CIMT (95% CI: 1.9-6.7%)Bauer et al [37]
2000 - 2005, USAn = 5,56016.6CIMTThe increase in PM 2.5 levels by 2.5 µg/m3 was associated with the annual increase in TIMSA of 5 µm (95% CI: 2.6 - 7.4 µm/year)Adar et al [38]
2000 - 2002, USAn = 5,17216.7CIMTCIMT positively correlated with the effect of PM 2.5 (1-4% increase for every 21 µg/m3) even after adjusting for age-sex characteristics and other risk factors for atherosclerosis.Diez Roux et al [39]
2000 - 2002, USAn = 6,25613.66CIMTThe increase in PM 2.5 consisting of a number of components (sulfur, elemental carbon, and organic carbon) with the exception of silicon, was closely correlated with CIMT.Sun et al [30]
2000 - 2003, Germanyn = 4,49422.8CACPeople living closer to the source of air pollution with PM 2.5 (highway) had a higher CAC value. Halving of the distance between the house and the road was associated with the 7.0% increase in CAC (95% CI: 1.1-14.4%).Hoffmann et al [40]
2002 - 2012, USAn = 6,79520.6CACFor each increase in PM 2.5 by 5 µg/m3, CAC increased by 4.1 Agatston units per year.Kaufman et al [41]
2000 - 2003, Ruhr Area (Germany)n = 4,34822.8ABILiving near highways was associated with the decrease in ABI, which is characteristic of the presence of atherosclerotic diseases of peripheral arteries. In addition, people living in the immediate vicinity of a road (within the radius of 50 m) had the 1.77 (95% CI: 1.21 - 2.1) times higher risk of developing atherosclerotic diseases compared with those living in the distance of more than 200 m.Hoffmann et al [42]
2000 - 2003, Germanyn = 4,24816.62TACThe 2.4 µg/m3 increase in PM 2.5 in the air is associated with the 18.1% increase in TAC (95% CI: 6.6-30.9%).Kalsch et al [43]