Research progress on effects and mechanisms of short-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter and its components on blood pressure

Elevated blood pressure is one of the major contributors to cardiovascular disease and premature death. The exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is closely associated with changes in blood pressure, and even short-term exposure to PM_2.5 can lead to an increase in blood pressure. PM_2.5 is a complex mixture that exerts different toxicities and triggers increased blood pressure through various mechanisms. Therefore, in this article, we provided a comprehensive review of published studies on the effects of short-term exposure to PM_2.5 and its components on blood pressure, and elaborated potential mechanisms from four aspects, including oxidative stress and inflammatory response, endothelial dysfunction, autonomic nervous system disorders and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activation, and epigenome alteration. Given the limitations of existing research, future prospective studies can be conducted on diverse populations, using more precise exposure measurement methods and multi-omics approaches, to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of PM_2.5 and its various components on blood pressure. The findings would provide a theoretical foundation for effective protection of public health, particularly vulnerable groups.