Diesel Exhaust Inhalation, Systemic Nitric Oxide Inhibition and Cardiac Output (DISCO)

University of Edinburgh

Status: Completed

Conditions: Vascular Function in Healthy Volunteers

Treatments: Drug: Intravenous infusion of L-NMMA and Nor-epinephrine

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01060930

DISCO

Details and patient eligibility

About

Exposure to combustion-derived fine particulate air pollution is associated with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. In previous studies, exposure to diesel exhaust (a major constituent of urban particulate air pollution) has been shown to impair two important functions of the vascular endothelium: vascular vasomotor function and endogenous fibrinolysis. Our subsequent studies suggest this impairment of vascular function is mediated by a reduction in nitric oxide bioavailability. In this study we aim to investigate the cardiovascular responses to systemic nitric oxide synthase inhibition following exposure to dilute diesel exhaust.

Enrollment: 14 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy volunteers
• Non smokers
• No regular medication (except oral contraceptive)
• No recent respiratory tract infection (within 6 weeks)

Exclusion criteria

• History of asthma or respiratory disease
• Smoking history
• Pregnancy (positive urinary pregnancy test)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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14 participants in 2 patient groups

Diesel exhaust exposure

Experimental group

Description:

1 hour exposure to dilute diesel exhaust \~ 300 mcg/m3 - during intermittent exercise

Treatment:

Drug: Intravenous infusion of L-NMMA and Nor-epinephrine

Air exposure

Experimental group

Description:

1 hour exposure to filtered air during intermittent exercise

Treatment:

Drug: Intravenous infusion of L-NMMA and Nor-epinephrine