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Rio P, Gasbarrini A, Gambassi G, Cianci R. Pollutants, microbiota and immune system: frenemies within the gut. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1285186. [PMID: 38799688 PMCID: PMC11116734 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1285186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Pollution is a critical concern of modern society for its heterogeneous effects on human health, despite a widespread lack of awareness. Environmental pollutants promote several pathologies through different molecular mechanisms. Pollutants can affect the immune system and related pathways, perturbing its regulation and triggering pro-inflammatory responses. The exposure to several pollutants also leads to alterations in gut microbiota with a decreasing abundance of beneficial microbes, such as short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, and an overgrowth of pro-inflammatory species. The subsequent intestinal barrier dysfunction, together with oxidative stress and increased inflammatory responses, plays a role in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases. Moreover, pollutants encourage the inflammation-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence through various mechanisms, such as oxidative stress, dysregulation of cellular signalling pathways, cell cycle impairment and genomic instability. In this narrative review, we will describe the interplay between pollutants, gut microbiota, and the immune system, focusing on their relationship with inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer. Understanding the biological mechanisms underlying the health-to-disease transition may allow the design of public health policies aimed at reducing the burden of disease related to pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rossella Cianci
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Li J, He C, Ying J, Hua B, Yang Y, Chen W, Liu W, Ye D, Sun X, Mao Y, Chen K. Air pollutants, genetic susceptibility, and the risk of incident gastrointestinal diseases: A large prospective cohort study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 247:118182. [PMID: 38218525 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
A comprehensive overview of the associations between air pollution and the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases has been lacking. We aimed to examine the relationships of long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), 2.5-10 μm (PMcoarse), ≤10 μm (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx), with the risk of incident GI diseases, and to explore the interplay between air pollution and genetic susceptibility. A total of 465,703 participants free of GI diseases in the UK Biobank were included at baseline. Land use regression models were employed to calculate the residential air pollutants concentrations. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the associations of air pollutants with the risk of GI diseases. The dose-response relationships of air pollutants with the risk of GI diseases were evaluated by restricted cubic spline curves. We found that long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants was positively associated with the risk of peptic ulcer (PM2.5 : Q4 vs. Q1: hazard ratio (HR) 1.272, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.179-1.372, NO2: 1.220, 1.131-1.316, and NOx: 1.277, 1.184-1.376) and chronic gastritis (PM2.5: 1.454, 1.309-1.616, PM10 : 1.232, 1.112-1.366, NO2: 1.456, 1.311-1.617, and NOx: 1.419, 1.280-1.574) after Bonferroni correction. Participants with high genetic risk and high air pollution exposure had the highest risk of peptic ulcer, compared to those with low genetic risk and low air pollution exposure (PM2.5: HR 1.558, 95%CI 1.384-1.754, NO2: 1.762, 1.395-2.227, and NOx: 1.575, 1.403-1.769). However, no significant additive or multiplicative interaction between air pollution and genetic risk was found. In conclusion, long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants was associated with increased risk of peptic ulcer and chronic gastritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chunlei He
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiacheng Ying
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Baojie Hua
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yudan Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weiwei Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ding Ye
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohui Sun
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Yingying Mao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Kun Chen
- Department of Public Health, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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Walldorf J, Mezger NCS, Weber L, Knothe A, Klose M, Moritz S, Kantelhardt EJ, Feller S, Schlitt A, Greinert R, Michl P. [Climate Crisis: What Gastrointestinal Complications of this Medical Emergency Should We Be Aware Of?]. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GASTROENTEROLOGIE 2023; 61:1608-1617. [PMID: 37044125 DOI: 10.1055/a-2058-8883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The climate crisis has serious consequences for many areas of life. This applies in particular to human health - also in Europe. While cardiovascular, pneumological and dermatological diseases related to the climate crisis are often discussed, the crisis' significant gastroenterological consequences for health must also be considered. METHODS A literature search (Pubmed, Cochrane Library) was used to identify papers with relevance particularly to the field of gastroenterology in (Central) Europe. Findings were supplemented and discussed by an interdisciplinary team. RESULTS The climate crisis impacts the frequency and severity of gastrointestinal diseases in Europe due to more frequent and severe heat waves, flooding and air pollution. While patients with intestinal diseases are particularly vulnerable to acute weather events, the main long-term consequences of climate change are gastrointestinal cancer and liver disease. In addition to gastroenteritis, other infectious diseases such as vector-borne diseases and parasites are important in the context of global warming, heat waves and floods. DISCUSSION Adaptation strategies must be consistently developed and implemented for vulnerable groups. Patients at risk should be informed about measures that can be implemented individually, such as avoiding heat, ensuring appropriate hydration and following hygiene instructions. Recommendations for physical activity and a healthy and sustainable diet are essential for the prevention of liver diseases and carcinomas. Measures for prevention and the promotion of resilience can be supported by the physicians at various levels. In addition to efforts fostering sustainability in the immediate working environment, a system-oriented commitment to climate protection is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Walldorf
- Klinik für Innere Medizin I, University Hospital Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Christian Simon Mezger
- Arbeitsgruppe Global and Planetary Health, Institut für Medizinische Epidemiologie, Biometrie und Informatik, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Lena Weber
- Medizinische Fakultät, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Anja Knothe
- Medizinische Fakultät, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Michelle Klose
- Klinik für Innere Medizin I, University Hospital Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Stefan Moritz
- Klinische Infektiologie, Universitätsklinikum Halle (Saale), Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Eva Johanna Kantelhardt
- Arbeitsgruppe Global and Planetary Health, Institut für Medizinische Epidemiologie, Biometrie und Informatik, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Stephan Feller
- Institut für Molekulare Medizin, Medizinische Fakultät, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Axel Schlitt
- Paracelsus-Harz-Klinik Bad Suderode, Bad Suderode, Germany
| | - Robin Greinert
- Klinik für Innere Medizin I, University Hospital Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Patrick Michl
- Klinik für Innere Medizin I, University Hospital Halle, Halle, Germany
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Tavabie O, Clough J, King J, Nicholas V, Kumar A. Challenges of developing a green gastroenterology evidence base and how trainee research networks can fill the gaps. Frontline Gastroenterol 2023:flgastro-2023-102497. [DOI: 10.1136/flgastro-2023-102497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Trainee research networks are a collaborative effort to enable high-quality multicentre audits or research that is more widely accessible to trainees. Such networks lead, design and deliver research at a far higher scale than could be achieved locally and are carried out solely by trainees. There is an increasing focus on delivering research that is not only environmentally sustainable but also focuses on areas that can reduce the carbon footprint of service provision in gastroenterology and hepatology. In this manuscript, we performed a scoping review to understand the current evidence base of the impact of gastroenterology and hepatology services on the environment as well as exploring any association between pollution and climate change with gastrointestinal and liver disease. We further discuss the barriers that researchers face in delivering environmentally sustainable research, the limitation in clinical guidelines related to practicing environmentally sustainable gastroenterology and hepatology and how the trainee research networks are ideally placed to initiate change by developing, disseminating and implementing best practice in ‘green Gastroenterology’.
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Li ZH, Wang XM, Xiang JX, Nan Y, Chen YJ, Zhang PD, Liu D, Shen D, Zhang XR, Zhong WF, Chen PL, Huang QM, Song WQ, Qiu CS, Liang F, Li C, Mao C. Associations of long-term joint exposure to various ambient air pollutants with all-cause and cause-specific mortality: evidence from a large population-based cohort study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-28224-2. [PMID: 37365359 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28224-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The association between long-term joint exposure to all kinds of ambient air pollutants and the risk of mortality is not known. Our study prospectively assessed the joint associations of various air pollutants with cause-specific and all-cause mortality risk and identified potential modifying factors affecting these associations. A total of 400,259 individuals aged 40-70 years were included in this study. Information on PM10, PM2.5-10, PM2.5, NO2, and NOx was collected. A weighted air pollution score was calculated to assess joint exposure to the above air pollutants. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. During a median of 12.0 years (4,733,495 person-years) of follow-up, 21,612 deaths were recorded, including 7097 deaths from cardiovascular disease and 11,557 deaths from cancer. The adjusted HRs of all-cause mortality were 1.39 (95% CI: 1.29-1.50), 1.86 (95% CI: 1.63-2.13), 1.12 (95% CI: 1.10-1.14), and 1.04 (95% CI: 1.03-1.05) for every 10-ug/m3 increase in PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and NOx, respectively. The adjusted HRs associated with the air pollution score (the highest quintile versus the lowest quintile) were 1.24 (95% CI: 1.19-1.30) for all-cause mortality, 1.33 (95% CI: 1.23-1.43) for cardiovascular mortality, and 1.16 (95% CI: 1.09-1.23) for cancer mortality. Furthermore, we found that the air pollution score was associated with a linear dose-response increase in mortality risk (all P for linearity < 0.001). The findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive assessment of various air pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Hao Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Meng Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jia-Xuan Xiang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying Nan
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying-Jun Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Pei-Dong Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- The Laboratory for Precision Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dong Shen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xi-Ru Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen-Fang Zhong
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Pei-Liang Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qing-Mei Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei-Qi Song
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Cheng-Shen Qiu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fen Liang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuan Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chen Mao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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Michaux M, Chan JM, Bergmann L, Chaves LF, Klinkenberg B, Jacobson K. Spatial cluster mapping and environmental modeling in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:3688-3702. [PMID: 37398882 PMCID: PMC10311617 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i23.3688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Geographical (geospatial) clusters have been observed in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) incidence and linked to environmental determinants of disease, but pediatric spatial patterns in North America are unknown. We hypothesized that we would identify geospatial clusters in the pediatric IBD (PIBD) population of British Columbia (BC), Canada and associate incidence with ethnicity and environmental exposures.
AIM To identify PIBD clusters and model how spatial patterns are associated with population ethnicity and environmental exposures.
METHODS One thousand one hundred eighty-three patients were included from a BC Children’s Hospital clinical registry who met the criteria of diagnosis with IBD ≤ age 16.9 from 2001–2016 with a valid postal code on file. A spatial cluster detection routine was used to identify areas with similar incidence. An ecological analysis employed Poisson rate models of IBD, Crohn’s disease (CD), and ulcerative colitis (UC) cases as functions of areal population ethnicity, rurality, average family size and income, average population exposure to green space, air pollution, and vitamin-D weighted ultraviolet light from the Canadian Environmental Health Research Consortium, and pesticide applications.
RESULTS Hot spots (high incidence) were identified in Metro Vancouver (IBD, CD, UC), southern Okanagan regions (IBD, CD), and Vancouver Island (CD). Cold spots (low incidence) were identified in Southeastern BC (IBD, CD, UC), Northern BC (IBD, CD), and on BC’s coast (UC). No high incidence hot spots were detected in the densest urban areas. Modeling results were represented as incidence rate ratios (IRR) with 95%CI. Novel risk factors for PIBD included fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution (IRR = 1.294, CI = 1.113-1.507, P < 0.001) and agricultural application of petroleum oil to orchards and grapes (IRR = 1.135, CI = 1.007-1.270, P = 0.033). South Asian population (IRR = 1.020, CI = 1.011-1.028, P < 0.001) was a risk factor and Indigenous population (IRR = 0.956, CI = 0.941-0.971, P < 0.001), family size (IRR = 0.467, CI = 0.268-0.816, P = 0.007), and summer ultraviolet (IBD = 0.9993, CI = 0.9990–0.9996, P < 0.001) were protective factors as previously established. Novel risk factors for CD, as for PIBD, included: PM2.5 air pollution (IRR = 1.230, CI = 1 .056-1.435, P = 0.008) and agricultural petroleum oil (IRR = 1.159, CI = 1.002-1.326, P = 0.038). Indigenous population (IRR = 0.923, CI = 0.895–0.951, P < 0.001), as previously established, was a protective factor. For UC, rural population (UC IRR = 0.990, CI = 0.983-0.996, P = 0.004) was a protective factor and South Asian population (IRR = 1.054, CI = 1.030–1.079, P < 0.001) a risk factor as previously established.
CONCLUSION PIBD spatial clusters were identified and associated with known and novel environmental determinants. The identification of agricultural pesticides and PM2.5 air pollution needs further study to validate these observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mielle Michaux
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, British Columbia Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6H 3V4, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, British Columbia Children’s Hospital, Vancouver V5Z 4H4, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Justin M Chan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, British Columbia Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6H 3V4, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, British Columbia Children’s Hospital, Vancouver V5Z 4H4, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Luke Bergmann
- Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z2, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Luis F Chaves
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Brian Klinkenberg
- Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z2, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kevan Jacobson
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, British Columbia Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6H 3V4, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, British Columbia Children’s Hospital, Vancouver V5Z 4H4, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z3, British Columbia, Canada
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