AHR and atherosclerosis: The binding of PCB126 to the AHR receptor activates the metabolism of xenobiotics, leading to the formation of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress at low concentrations of PCB126.53,54 In studying the toxic effects of PCBs and dioxin-like compounds such as AhR agonists, it has been shown that continuous activation of AhR by dioxins increases blood pressure and cardiac hypertrophy, induces atherosclerosis and the formation of aortic aneurysms abdominal muscles and impairs vascular relaxation.