Abstract 599: Exposure to Biodiesel Exhaust Triggers Atherosclerotic Plaque Destabilisation through Increased Apoptosis of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in the Arterial Vessel Wall

Introduction: Long-term exposure to air pollutants increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Particulate matter (PM) derived from diesel exhaust has been documented to be pro-atherogenic in animal studies. Biodiesels are widely introduced as new fuels with improved emission characteristics. However, biodiesel contains relatively more polycyclic aromatic carbohydrates (PAH) compared to diesel. Therefore, we hypothesise that exposure to...