Introduction
OXIDATIVE STRESS
Traffic-related particulate matter, to which diesel exhaust (DE) is a significant contributor, is associated with increased cardiorespiratory morbidity [Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) characterized by a carbonaceous core with adsorbed organic compounds such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and quinones. DEP-associated compounds have been suggested to play a major role in inducing oxidative stress and adverse health effects [The role played by the activated AhR is potentially more complex. Beside the activation by exogenous ligands such as poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), it is noteworthy to mention that endogenous metabolites such as tryptophan and arachidonic acid derivatives have been suggested to be involved in the AhR activation [