Intravenous administration of DEP does not increase systemic CRP or pulmonary pro-inflammatory cytokines. Intravenous injection of DEP (black columns) or CB (light grey columns) did not increase bronchoalveolar lavage fluid concentrations of (i) TNF-α or (ii) C-reactive protein (CRP) when compared to saline (white column) collected 2 h after injection. Levels of IL-6 were below the limit of detection. (iii) Systemic inflammation was assessed by measuring CRP in plasma taken from rats 2 h (the time-point at which thrombus formation was increased by DEP) after intravenous injection of diesel exhaust particulate (DEP) or carbon black (CB). CB (light grey column), increased plasma concentrations of CRP whereas DEP did not (black column). Data are mean ± s.e.mean (n = 6) and were compared using Student’s unpaired t-test ((i) & (ii)) or one-way ANOVA (iii); ns = not significant ***P < 0.001 compared with saline-treated control. (TIF 55 kb
