Healthful nutrition decreases vulnerability to environmental pollutant-induced inflammatory diseases: Implications in atherosclerosis

Background and Aims : Multifactorial interactions linked to exacerbated disease pathologies of atherosclerosis and other CVDs include pro-inflammatory chemical and non-chemical stressor. Many environmental pollutants or chemical stressors with pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory properties include persistent organic pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Dioxin-like PCBs can increase endothelial cell dysfunction and activation, leading to induction of inflammatory genes. Recent data suggest that genetic and lifestyle factors are independently associated with susceptibility to CVD.