Dietary interventions in mitigating the impact of environmental pollutants on Alzheimer's disease - A review

The Dark Triad of Particulate Matter, Oxidative Stress and Coronary Artery Disease: What About the Antioxidant Therapeutic Potential

Particulate matter (PM) is a complex mixture of particles with different adverse effects on health, especially on the cardiovascular (CV) risk and disease (e.g., increased risk of total and CV mortality, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, stroke, hypertension, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes). Since oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation are the main key mechanisms by which PM exerted its biological effects on health, several oxidative and inflammatory-related biomarkers have been measured and associated with PM; abnormalities in these parameters in relation to PM highlight the key role of this relationship in terms of adverse health effects, including CV conditions. Antioxidant strategies might prevent/reverse, almost partly, CV effects related to PM exposure, by addressing OS and inflammation, although the clinical gain of these interventional tools is not yet clearly demonstrated. This review aims to summarize PM source and composition, discussing OS and inflammatory events associated with environmental PM exposure as key mechanistic determinants of CV risk and acute event precipitation. Moreover, the modifying potential of antioxidants, especially in subjects more susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution and/or more highly exposed, will be discussed as a promising research area beyond conventional strategies actually available to prevent the harmful effects of PM (e.g., reduction of pollution sources and population exposure, assessment of air quality standards) in order to better face this dark triad composed of PM, OS and CV disease.

The mediating roles of obesity indicators and serum albumin in the association of DEET exposure with depression and sleep disorders in adults: evidence from NHANES 2007-2016

BACKGROUND

DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) is a widely used insect repellent with potential neurotoxic effects. However, its impact on mental health in the general population remains unclear. This study investigates the association between DEET exposure and depression and sleep disorders, exploring the mediating roles of obesity indicators and serum albumin.

METHODS

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2016 were analyzed. Urinary levels of 3-(diethylaminoformyl) benzoic acid (DCBA), a DEET metabolite, were used as an exposure marker. Depression was defined according to the scores of Patient Health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and sleep disorders were diagnosed according to participants' self-reports. Multivariate logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analysis were employed to assess the associations of DCBA with depression and sleep disorders. Mediating analyses explored the roles of obesity indicators and serum albumin. Subgroup analysis further explored the differences among different populations.

RESULTS

Higher DCBA levels were positively associated with depression and sleep disorders. Mediating analysis revealed that body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and serum albumin mediated 11.16%, 12.66%, and 7.04% of the association between DEET exposure and depression, respectively. Subgroup analysis identified increased susceptibility among women and individuals of other races. Sensitivity analysis enhanced the robustness of the results.

CONCLUSION

DEET exposure is associated with an increased risk of depression and sleep disorders, mediated by obesity and liver function indicators. These findings highlight the need for public health measures to reduce DEET exposure and further research into its mechanisms of action on mental health.