Oxidative stress and air pollution exposure

The Association Between Long-Term Air Pollution Exposure and Risk of Thyroid Eye Disease: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Taiwan

PURPOSE

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a significant orbital disorder commonly associated with Graves' disease, characterized by retrobulbar tissue enlargement and various ocular symptoms. While the pathophysiology involves autoimmune processes, the potential influence of air pollution on TED remains unexplored. This study aims to investigate the association between long-term air pollution exposure and the risk of TED in Taiwanese adults with thyroid disease.

METHODS

A nationwide cohort study was conducted utilizing data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Adult patients newly diagnosed with thyroid disease between 2003 and 2013 were included. Exposure to 10 air pollutants over a decade was assessed and linked to patients' residential locations. Cox regression models were used to analyze the dose-response relationship between air pollutants and TED risk, adjusting for confounders.

RESULTS

The final cohort comprised 7340 patients, among whom 218 developed TED. Significant associations were observed between long-term exposure to 10 air pollutants and increased TED risk. A 1 standard deviation increase in the 10-year average exposure to sulfur dioxide, CO, particles less than 10 µm in diameter, particles less than 2.5 µm in diameter, nitrogen oxides, nitrogen monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, total hydrocarbons, nonmethane hydrocarbons, and methane corresponded to elevated TED risk of 26%, 62%, 74%, 49%, 47%, 32%, 56%, 27%, 20%, and 24%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides the first evidence linking long-term air pollution exposure to increased TED risk in individuals with thyroid disease. The findings underscore the importance of addressing air pollution as a modifiable risk factor for TED and advocate for the implementation of strategies to mitigate air pollution's adverse health effects. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and inform targeted interventions for TED prevention and management.

Ambient air pollution exposure and incidence of cataract surgery: The prospective 3City-Alienor study

PURPOSE

Cataract, the leading cause of blindness worldwide, is a multifactorial disease involving oxidative stress mechanisms. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between air pollution exposure and the incidence of cataract surgery.

METHODS

The 3C-Alienor study is a population-based cohort of residents of Bordeaux, France, aged 65 years or more, recruited in 1999-2000 and followed every 2-3 years until 2017. Cataract surgery was self-reported and checked at slit-lamp by trained professionals. Average air pollution exposure (particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), black carbon (BC), nitrogen dioxide (NO2)) in the 10 years preceding baseline was estimated at the participants' geocoded residential address, using temporally adjusted land use regression. Associations of 10-year average air pollution exposure with incidence of cataract were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for confounders.

RESULTS

The study included 829 subjects without cataract surgery prior to inclusion; the mean age at inclusion was 72.6 years (standard deviation (SD): 4.2) and 61% were women. The median (Interquartile-range (IQR)) follow-up duration was 14.1 (6.4) years during which 507 participants underwent cataract surgery. Exposure to a concentration ≥40 μg/m3 of NO2 (the current regulatory limit value in Europe) was associated with incident cataract surgery (HR = 1.46, CI (1.16, 1.84), p = 0.001). No statistically significant association was found with PM2.5 and BC.

CONCLUSION

Long-term exposure to a NO2 concentration ≥ 40 μg/m3 was associated with an increased incidence of cataract surgery. Complying with current European air pollution standards could reduce cataract surgery costs and improve population quality of life.

Association between long-term PM2.5 exposure and risk of infectious diseases - acute otitis media, sinusitis, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis in children: A nationwide longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

Air pollution, particularly particulate matter, has been linked to various health issues, including respiratory infections in children. This study investigates the impact of long-term PM2.5 exposure on acute otitis media (AOM), sinusitis, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis in a large Korean cohort. While children are known to be more vulnerable due to anatomical factors, the relationship between prolonged PM2.5 exposure and these infections has been insufficiently explored in large populations.

METHODS

We aimed to examine the association of long-term exposure to PM2.5 with the first hospital visit of four infectious diseases - acute otitis media, sinusitis, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis - using a population-based cohort from National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort data from 2002 to 2019. To ensure a minimum follow-up period of five years, individuals who enrolled in 2016 or later were excluded. A time-varying Cox model was applied to adjust for age, sex, income status, residential areas and district-level socioeconomic indicators. Annually updated residential addresses and related PM2.5 concentrations based on mean annual predictions from a machine learning-based ensemble prediction model were assigned.

RESULTS

Our study included 364,227 people aged 0-18 years at enrollment and total of onset of each disease was 196,762 with acute otitis media, 253,248 with sinusitis, 275,160 with pharyngitis, and 315,367 with tonsillitis. Estimated hazard ratios (HR) per 5 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 were noticeably associated with acute otitis media (HR = 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.08), sinusitis (HR = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01-1.02), pharyngitis (HR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.03), and tonsillitis (HR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.05-1.06).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates a significant link between long-term PM2.5 exposure and increased risks of AOM, sinusitis, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis, especially in younger individuals. Highlighting the effects of prolonged exposure, it emphasizes the importance of public health strategies to protect vulnerable populations and provides insights for policies addressing air pollution-related health risks.

Protective Role of Physical Activity and Antioxidant Systems During Spermatogenesis

Oxidative stress is a significant factor that contributes to male infertility and sperm dysfunction. In this condition, an increase in ROS production exceeds the body's antioxidant defenses, resulting in a decline in spermatozoa quality and fertilizing capacity. Furthermore, excessive ROS production has been linked to the promotion of genomic damage, lipid peroxidation, inflammation, altered enzyme activity, and ultimately, irreversible alterations, cell death, and a decline in seminal parameters associated with male infertility. It is established that physical activity (PA), acting on inflammatory parameters and improving antioxidant defense, can alleviate the negative effects caused by free radicals, offering numerous health benefits and positively influencing sperm quality. The objective of this review is to highlight the mechanisms of ROS production, the physiological and pathophysiological roles of ROS in relation to the male reproductive system, and recent knowledge on the impact of some protocols of PA on these systems and the molecular mechanisms involved.

Racial disparities in maternal exposure to ambient air pollution during pregnancy and prevalence of congenital heart defects

Air pollution may be a potential cause of congenital heart defects (CHDs), but racial disparities in this association are unexplored. We conducted a statewide population-based cohort study using North Carolina birth data from 2003 to 2015 (n = 1 225 285) to investigate the relationship between air pollution and CHDs (specifically pulmonary valve atresia/stenosis, tetralogy of Fallot [TOF], and atrioventricular septal defect [AVSD]). Maternal exposure to particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) and ozone during weeks 3 to 9 of pregnancy were estimated using the Environmental Protection Agency's Downscaler Model. Single- and co-pollutant log-binomial models were created for the entire population and stratified by race to investigate disparities. Positive associations between PM2.5 and CHDs were observed. An increasing concentration-response association was found for PM2.5 and TOF in adjusted, co-pollutant models (quartile 4 prevalence ratio: 1.46; 95% CI, 1.06-2.03). Differences in the effect of PM2.5 on CHD prevalence were seen in some models stratified by race, although clear exposure-prevalence gradients were not evident. Positive associations were also seen in adjusted, co-pollutant models of ozone and AVSD. Study results suggest that prenatal PM2.5 and ozone exposure may increase the prevalence of certain CHDs. A consistent pattern of differences in association by race/ethnicity was not apparent. This article is part of a Special Collection on Environmental Epidemiology.

Protective role of vitamin D receptor against mitochondrial calcium overload from PM2.5-Induced injury in renal tubular cells

PURPOSE

This research explores the consequences of being exposed to PM2.5 contribute to renal injury while also evaluating the protective role of Vitamin D-VDR signaling in alleviating mitochondrial calcium imbalance and oxidative stress in renal tubular cells.

METHODS

Animal models of chronic PM2.5 exposure were used to simulate environmental conditions in wild type and VDR-overexpressing mice specific to renal tubules. In parallel, HK-2 cell lines were treated with PM2.5 in vitro. Mitochondrial function, calcium concentration, and oxidative stress markers were assessed. VDR activation, achieved through genetic overexpression and paricalcitol, was induced to examine its effect on mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) expression and mitochondrial calcium regulation.

RESULTS

PM2.5 exposure caused significant mitochondrial damage in renal tubular cells, including mitochondrial calcium overload, increased oxidative stress, reduced membrane potential, and diminished ATP production. Elevated MCU expressions were a key contributor to these disruptions. VDR activation effectively reversed these effects by downregulating MCU, restoring mitochondrial calcium balance, reducing oxidative stress, and improving renal function.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that activating Vitamin D-VDR signaling shields the kidneys from PM2.5-induced damage by reestablishing mitochondrial calcium balance and lowering oxidative stress via inhibition of the MCU. These results unveil a new protective role of VDR in defending against environmental pollutants and suggest that targeting the MCU could offer a potential therapeutic strategy for treating chronic kidney disease linked to pollution exposure.

Nitrogen Dioxide Detection with Ambipolar Silicon Nanowire Transistor Sensors

Si nanowire transistors are ideal for the sensitive detection of atmospheric species due to their enhanced sensitivity to changes in the electrostatic potential at the channel surface. In this study, we present unique ambipolar Si junctionless nanowire transistors (Si-JNTs) that incorporate both n- and p-type conduction within a single device. These transistors enable scalable detection of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a critical atmospheric oxidative pollutant, across a broad concentration range, from high levels (25-50 ppm) to low levels (250 ppb-2 ppm). Acting as an electron acceptor, NO2 generates holes and functions as a pseudodopant for Si-JNTs, altering the conductance and other device parameters. Consequently, ambipolar Si-JNTs exhibit a dual response at room temperature, reacting on both p- and n-conduction channels when exposed to gaseous NO2, thereby offering a larger parameter space compared to a unipolar device. Key characteristics of the Si-JNTs, including on-current (Ion), threshold voltage (Vth) and mobility (μ), were observed to dynamically change on both the p- and n-channels when exposed to NO2. The p-conduction channel showed superior performance across all parameters when compared to the device's n-channel. For example, within the NO2 concentration range of 250 ppb to 2 ppm, the p-channel achieved a responsivity of 37%, significantly surpassing the n-channel's 12.5%. Additionally, the simultaneous evolution of multiple parameters in this dual response space enhances the selectivity of Si-JNTs toward NO2 and improves their ability to distinguish between different pollutant gases, such as NO2, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and methane.

Unraveling the mechanisms underlying air pollution-induced dysfunction of the oral-gut-brain axis: implications for human health and well-being

Air pollution exposure has become an international health issue that poses many risks to life and health. The bidirectional regulatory network, known as the oral-gut-brain axis connects the oral cavity, intestine, and central nervous system, as well as its influence on health outcomes from exposure to air pollution is receiving increased attention. This article systematically details the epidemiological evidence linking air pollutants to diseases affecting the oral, respiratory, intestinal, and nervous systems, while also explaining the route of air pollutants via the oral-gut-brain axis. The oral-gut-brain axis anomalies resulting from air pollution and their underlying molecular processes are also covered. The study provides a fresh viewpoint on how exposure to air pollution affects health and investigates cutting-edge preventative and therapeutic techniques.

Chitosan Nanoparticle-Encapsulated Cordyceps militaris Grown on Germinated Rhynchosia nulubilis Reduces Type II Alveolar Epithelial Cell Apoptosis in PM2.5-Induced Lung Injury

Chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) were synthesized in this study to enhance the limited bioactivity and stability of Cordyceps militaris grown on germinated Rhynchosia nulubilis (GRC) and effectively deliver it to target tissues. Under optimized conditions, stable encapsulation of GRC was achieved by setting the chitosan (CHI)-to-tripolyphosphate (TPP) ratio to 4:1 and adjusting the pH of TPP to 2, resulting in a zeta potential of +22.77 mV, which indicated excellent stability. As the concentration of GRC increased, the encapsulation efficiency decreased, whereas the loading efficiency increased. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy revealed shifts in the amide I and II bands of CHI from 1659 and 1578 to 1639 cm⁻1, indicating hydrogen bonding and successful encapsulation of GRC encapsulated with CNPs (GCN). X-ray diffraction (XRD) examination revealed the transition of the nanoparticles from a crystalline to an amorphous state, further confirming successful encapsulation. In vivo experiments demonstrated that GCN treatment significantly reduced lung injury scores in fine particulate matter (PM2.5)-exposed mice (p < 0.05) and alleviated lung epithelial barrier damage by restoring the decreased expression of occludin protein (p < 0.05). In addition, GCN decreased the PM2.5-induced upregulation of MMP-9 and COL1A1 mRNA expression levels, preventing extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and collagen accumulation (p < 0.05). GCN exhibited antioxidant effects by reducing the mRNA expression of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and enhancing both the protein and mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) caused by PM2.5, thereby alleviating oxidative stress (p < 0.05). In A549 cells, GCN significantly reduced PM2.5-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production compared with GRC (p < 0.05), with enhanced intracellular uptake confirmed using fluorescence microscopy (p < 0.05). In conclusion, GCN effectively alleviated PM2.5-induced lung damage by attenuating oxidative stress, suppressing apoptosis, and preserving the lung epithelial barrier integrity. These results emphasize its potential as a therapeutic candidate for preventing and treating the lung diseases associated with PM2.5 exposure.

Metabolomic profiling reveals systemic metabolic disruptions induced by combined exposure to particulate matter and ozone

Air pollution exposure, especially particulate matter (PM) and ozone (O3), poses significant health risks, but the systemic metabolic consequences of combined exposures to PM and O3, remain poorly understood. This study investigated systemic metabolic changes in male spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats following inhalation exposure to concentrated ambient particles (CAPs) (PM2.5, 150 μg/m3), ozone (O3) (0.2 ppm), and their combination. Rats were exposed for 4 h, and serum samples were collected 1-hour post-exposure. Using targeted metabolomics, we identified significant alterations in metabolites involved in lipid metabolism (phosphatidylcholines), energy metabolism (acylcarnitine C3), and oxidative stress (glutamine). Notably, the combination exposure induced distinct metabolic changes, including increased acylcarnitine C3 levels, suggesting heightened mitochondrial dysfunction. Principal component analysis revealed overlapping profiles between CAPs and controls, indicating a subtler impact of CAPs compared to ozone or combined exposure. These systemic metabolic alterations are aligned with our previously published proteomics findings in cardiac tissues from the same rats, which showed elevated inflammatory markers (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α) and mitochondrial dysfunction. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into the systemic metabolic effects of air pollutant exposure, identifies novel metabolic targets of pollutant-induced toxicity, highlights the complex interactions resulting from combined exposure to multiple pollutants, and underscores the importance of assessing the combined effects of multiple pollutants in air pollution risk assessments.

Genetic evidence supports the causal effects of exposure to ambient air pollution on autoimmune eye diseases

Previous observational studies have reported inconsistent associations between air pollution and autoimmune eye diseases (AEDs). The primary objective of this Mendelian randomization (MR) study was to investigate the causal link of air pollution with AEDs risk. The instrumental variables were selected based on genome-wide association study data. Univariable and multivariable MR analyses were conducted to disentangle the causality of air pollutants with AEDs. The estimates of univariable MR analysis revealed a suggestively causal link between NO2 or NOx exposure and diabetic retinopathy (OR=1.29, 95% CI=1.05-1.58, P=0.015; OR=1.33, 95% CI=1.05-1.69, P=0.019, respectively). A suggestive association was observed between PM2.5 exposure and age-related macular degeneration (OR=1.46, 95% CI=1.09-1.97, P=0.013). In addition, multivariable MR indicated that the observed association was remained consistent and robust. Rigorous sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness and consistency of these findings. Our study firstly provided the genetic evidence linking air pollution, specially NO2, NOx and PM2.5, to AEDs susceptibility.

Air pollution and venous thromboembolism: current knowledge and future perspectives

Air pollution, comprising a variable mixture of gaseous and solid particulate material, represents a serious, unmet, global health issue. The Global Burden of Disease study reported that 12% of all deaths occurring in 2019 were related to ambient air pollution, with particulate matter often considered to be the leading cause of harm. As of 2024, over 90% of the world's population are exposed to excessive amounts of particulate matter, based on WHO maximum exposure level guidelines. A substantial body of evidence supports a link between air pollution and cardiovascular disease, with around half of ambient pollution-related deaths thought to be secondary to cardiovascular causes. A possible association between particulate matter and venous thromboembolism has been less clear, but in the past decade, several studies have added to the available literature. In this Review, we discuss the current epidemiological evidence linking air pollution to the development of venous thrombotic events. We consider mechanisms promoting a thromboinflammatory phenotype in these individuals, including platelet dysfunction, dysregulated fibrinolysis, and enhanced thrombin generation. Given the relevance to global health, we also discuss possible strategies required to mitigate the impact of air pollution on human health worldwide.

Immune response accelerated telomere shortening during early life stage of a passerine bird, the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)

Dealing with infections is a daily challenge for wild animals. Empirical data show an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during immune response. This could have consequences on telomere length, the end parts of linear chromosomes, commonly used as proxy for good health and ageing. Telomere length dynamics may reflect the costs associated with physiological responses. In this study, immune system of blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) nestlings was experimentally challenged through a polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) injection, a synthetic double-stranded RNA that mimics a virus, activating the pathway of immune response triggered via the toll-like receptors 3. This path is known to form ROS downstream. Immune response was quantified by white cell counts in blood, while brain lipoperoxidation has been evaluated as an indicator of oxidative damage. Finally, individuals' telomere length shortening between days 8 and 15 after hatching was measured in erythrocytes. Challenged nestlings showed increased leukocyte number when compared with control (treated with a saline solution), lower brain lipid peroxidation (likely as a result of a compensatory mechanism after oxidative stress burst) and accelerated telomere shortening. These findings support the 'ageing cost of infections pathway' hypothesis, which supposes a role for infections in quick biological ageing.

Foreign Contaminants Target Brain Health

Neurodisease, caused by undesired substances, can lead to mental health conditions like depression, anxiety and neurocognitive problems like dementia. These substances can be referred to as contaminants that can cause damage, corruption, and infection or reduce brain functionality. Contaminants, whether conceptual or physical, have the ability to disrupt many processes. These observations motivate us to investigate contaminants and neurotoxicity collaboratively. This study investigates the link between pollutants and neuro-disease, examining transmission pathways and categorization. It also provides information on resources, causes, and challenges to minimize contamination risks. Contamination may cause various neuro-diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multi-system atrophy, Huntington's, autism spectrum disorder, psychiatric disorder, dementia, meningitis, encephalitis, schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. The negative effects depend on the nature and extent of exposure. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed and Scopus, focusing on studies published till 2024. Studies were selected based on their examination of the relationship between environmental contaminants and brain health, emphasizing transmission pathways and the resulting neurological outcomes. Findings indicate that contaminants can penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) via nasal, gut, and auditory routes, triggering harmful neurophysiological processes. This review highlights the urgent need for increased global awareness, policy interventions, and preventive measures to mitigate the long-term impacts of environmental contaminants on brain health, particularly in emerging nations.

Predicting Tuberculosis Risk in Cattle, Buffaloes, Sheep, and Goats in China Based on Air Pollutants and Meteorological Factors

Tuberculosis is a zoonotic chronic respiratory infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. The outbreak and epidemic of tuberculosis can seriously threaten human and veterinary health. To investigate the effects of environmental factors on tuberculosis in domestic ruminants, we collected data regarding the prevalence of tuberculosis in cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats in China (1956-2024) from publicly published literature and available databases. We identified the key risk factors among six major air pollutants and 19 bioclimatic variables; simulated the risk distribution of tuberculosis in cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats in China using the maximum entropy ecological niche model; and evaluated the effects of environmental factors. The area under the curve of the model was 0.873 (95% confidence interval, 0.851-0.895). The risk factors that most significantly influenced the prevalence of tuberculosis were the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) level, mean temperature of the coldest quarter, cattle distribution density, sheep distribution density, ozone (O3) level, and precipitation of the driest month. The predicted map of tuberculosis risk in cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats indicated that the high-risk regions were mainly distributed in South, North, East, and Northwest China. Improved surveillance is needed in these high-risk areas, and early preventive measures must be implemented based on the risk factors identified to reduce the future prevalence of tuberculosis in cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats.

Association Between Environmental Air Pollution and Thyroid Cancer and Nodules: A Systematic Review

Background: The global incidence of thyroid cancer has increased over the past several decades. While this increase is partially due to increased detection, environmental pollutants have also emerged as a possible contributing factor. Our goal was to perform a systematic review to assess the relationship between environmental air pollution and thyroid cancer. Methods: Systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus databases for original articles published prior to March 2024, investigating outdoor air pollution and thyroid cancer/nodules (PROSPERO CRD42024517624). Inclusion criteria included quantitative reporting of pollutant levels and effect size. Specific pollutants included ozone (O3), particulate matter less than 2.5 (PM2.5) or 10 microns in diameter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitric oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Study design, sample size, pollution assessment method, covariates, and strength/direction of associations between pollutants and thyroid cancer/nodule detection were extracted, and descriptive synthesis was utilized to summarize pertinent findings. Risk of bias was assessed using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute quality assessment tool. Results: Of 1294 identified studies, 11 met inclusion criteria. Over 6 million patients from diverse regions were represented across studies. Pollutants studied included O3 in 5 studies; PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NOx in 3 studies; unspecified PM and CO in 2 studies; and PAHs in 1 study. Primary outcome was thyroid cancer diagnosis among 9 studies and thyroid nodule detection in 2. All studies examining NOx and O3 reported increased risks ranging from 1.03 to 1.5-fold and 1.1 to 1.3-fold, respectively. Both studies assessing PM2.5 reported 1.18 to 1.23-fold increased odds of thyroid cancer diagnosis, and the magnitude of association increased with increasing duration or concentration of PM2.5 Inconsistent results were observed for levels of CO, PM10, and SO2. Conclusion: While an emerging body of literature suggests a potential association between air pollution and thyroid cancer, the quality of evidence is limited by study design constraints, variability in exposure assessment, and inconsistent adjustment for potential confounding factors. The heterogeneity in study designs and methodologies present challenges in interpreting results, underscoring the need for standardized approaches in future research.

Neuroendocrine contribution to sex-related variations in adverse air pollution health effects

Air pollution exposure is ranked as a leading environmental risk factor for not only cardiopulmonary diseases but also for systemic health ailments including diabetes, reproductive abnormalities, and neuropsychiatric disorders, likely mediated by central neural stress mechanisms. Current experimental evidence links many air pollution health outcomes with activation of neuroendocrine sympathetic-adrenal-medullary and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) stress axes associated with resultant increases in adrenal-derived hormone levels acting as circulating mediators of multi-organ stress reactions. Epidemiological and experimental investigations also demonstrated sex-specific responses to air pollutant inhalation, which may be attributed to hormonal interactions within the stress and reproductive axes. Sex hormones (androgens and estrogens) interact with neuroendocrine functions to influence hypothalamic responses, subsequently augmenting stress-mediated metabolic and immune changes. These neurohormonal interactions may contribute to innate sex-specific responses to inhaled irritants, inducing differing individual susceptibility. The aim of this review was to: (1) examine neuroendocrine co-regulation of the HPA axis by gonadal hormones, (2) provide experimental evidence demonstrating sex-specific respiratory and systemic effects attributed to air pollutant inhalation exposure, and (3) postulate proposed mechanisms of stress and sex hormone interactions during air pollution-related stress.

Effects of household air pollution and healthy lifestyle associated with gestational diabetes mellitus

This study investigated the effect of household air pollution on pregnant women with GDM, and assessed the modifying effect of a healthy lifestyle on this relationship. Household solid fuel exposure was defined as using solid fuels (coal, crop residue, and wood) for cooking and heating. Four individually modifiable lifestyle factors were assessed in early pregnancy: body mass index, diet, sleep, and vitamin D supplementation. Multifactorial logistic regression modeling was used to assess the relationship between household air pollution and GDM. A stratified analysis and additive interaction tested the effects of healthy lifestyle scores. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that using solid fuels for heating was significantly associated with an increased risk of GDM (adjusted OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.18-2.18). GDM risk showed a decreasing trend in the medium versus the high score group when compared to the low score group, with a consistent trend regardless of household fuel type used (adjusted OR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.27-0.57) (adjusted OR = 0.12, 95% CI 0.05-0.28), respectively. Importantly, when the healthy lifestyle score increased, exposure to household air pollution was no longer associated with a higher GDM risk. There was a negative additive interaction between exposure to household solid fuels exposure and a healthy lifestyle (FERI: -5.10 [-16.48, -2.04]; AP: -1.29 [-2.80, -0.39]; SI: -0.37 [-0.20, -0.67]). We determined that exposure to household air pollution may be an important GDM risk factor. In addition, A healthy lifestyle may have a protective effect on women with GDM exposed to indoor fuel air pollution.

The impact of place on multimorbidity: A systematic scoping review

Multimorbidity, commonly defined as the co-existence of two or more long-term conditions, is a major global public health challenge with significant impacts for health and social care systems. There is a substantial body of work identifying different individual- and household-level determinants of multimorbidity, yet the role of place-based characteristics in affecting multimorbidity remains limited. This systematic scoping review identifies place-based risk factors for multimorbidity and further synthesises the potential pathways explaining these relationships using longitudinal evidence. By systematically searching seven major databases, such as Medline, Embase, and Web of Science, using relevant search terms (e.g., MeSH) relating to place-based risk factors and multimorbidity, 76 out of 7761 studies were included for evidence synthesis. We include studies exploring the relationship between place-based risk factors and multimorbidity among the general population older than 18 years old in the setting of community-dwelling, primary, and secondary care. We identified 12 types of place-based risk factors, with the impacts of area-level deprivation/SES, pollution, and urban/rurality on multimorbidity being most frequently considered and with the most consistent findings, with people living in more deprived/low SES, highly polluted, or more urbanised areas having increased risks of multimorbidity. Further, the impact of these place-based risk factors on multimorbidity varied according to the operationalisation of the multimorbidity measure. We also identified that the impacts of other types of place-based factors on multimorbidity remain underexplored, such as social cohesion and greenspace. Finally, using these longitudinal findings, we propose a conceptual framework linking place and multimorbidity. We suggest that future studies explore a wider range of place-level environmental exposures and use more precise measures, exploit electronic health records to implement more consistent and reproducible measurements of multimorbidity, moreover, make greater use of longitudinal study designs or analytical approaches better suited to identifying causal processes.

Air-Pollution-Mediated Microbial Dysbiosis in Health and Disease: Lung-Gut Axis and Beyond

Growing evidence suggests physiological and pathological functions of lung and gut microbiomes in various pathologies. Epidemiological and experimental data associate air pollution exposure with host microbial dysbiosis in the lungs and gut. Air pollution through increased reactive oxygen species generation, the disruption of epithelial barrier integrity, and systemic inflammation modulates microbial imbalance. Microbiome balance is crucial in regulating inflammation and metabolic pathways to maintain health. Microbiome dysbiosis is proposed as a potential mechanism for the air-pollution-induced modulation of pulmonary and systemic disorders. Microbiome-based therapeutic approaches are increasingly gaining attention and could have added value in promoting lung health. This review summarizes and discusses air-pollution-mediated microbiome alterations in the lungs and gut in humans and mice and elaborates on their role in health and disease. We discuss and summarize the current literature, highlight important mechanisms that lead to microbial dysbiosis, and elaborate on pathways that potentially link lung and lung microbiomes in the context of environmental exposures. Finally, we discuss the lung-liver-gut axis and its potential pathophysiological implications in air-pollution-mediated pathologies through microbial dysbiosis.

Air pollution exposure during pregnancy and preterm birth in Brazil

Ambient air pollution is a significant environmental risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth. However, the impact of different pollutants across various regions and trimesters of pregnancy has not been fully investigated in Brazil. This study aimed to examine the associations between exposure to PM2.5, NO2, and O3 during different trimesters of pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth across five regions of Brazil. We used logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratios (OR) of preterm birth associated with PM2.5, NO2, and O3 adjusting for potential confounders such as maternal age, education, and socioeconomic status. Our study included over 9.9 million live births from 2001 to 2018, with data obtained from the Ministry of Health in Brazil. On average, for each 1-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, we estimated a 0.26 % (95 % CI: 0.08-0.44 %) increase in the risk of preterm birth nationally in the first trimester. For NO2, each 1ppb increase was associated with a percentage increase in preterm birth risk of 7.26 % (95 % CI: 4.77-9.74 %) in the first trimester, 8.05 % (95 % CI: 5.73-10.38 %) in the second trimester, and 7.48 % (95 % CI: 5.25-9.72 %) in the third trimester. For O3, each 1ppb increase was associated with a percentage increase in preterm birth risk of 1.24 % (95 % CI: 0.29-2.18 %) in the first trimester, 1.51 % (95 % CI: 0.60-2.41 %) in the second trimester, and 0.72 % (95 % CI: -0.18-1.62 %) in the third trimester. This study highlights the significant impact of ambient air pollution on preterm birth risk in Brazil, with significant regional variations. Our findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions to mitigate the effects of air pollution on pregnancy outcomes, particularly in the most affected regions.

Effect of environmental air pollutants on placental function and pregnancy outcomes: a molecular insight

Air pollution has become a major health concern, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and pregnant women. Studies have reported a strong association between prenatal exposure to air pollutants and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including lower birth weight, reduced fetal growth, and an increased frequency of preterm births. This review summarizes the harmful effects of air pollutants, such as particulate matter, on pregnancy and outlines the mechanistic details associated with these adverse outcomes. Particulate pollutant matter may be able to cross the placenta barrier, and alterations in placental functions are central to the detrimental effects of these pollutants. In addition to associations with preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, air pollutants also induce oxidative stress, inflammation, and epigenetic alteration in the placenta. These pollutants can also affect placental homeostasis and endocrine function, contributing to pregnancy complications and possible transgenerational effects. Prenatal air pollution exposure has been linked to reduced cognitive and motor function in infants and newborns, increasing the predisposition to autism spectrum disorders and other neuropsychiatric disorders. This review also summarizes the use of various animal models to study the harmful effects of air pollution on pregnancy and postnatal outcomes. These findings provide valuable insight into the molecular events associated with the process and can aid in risk mitigation and adopting safety measures. Implementing effective environmental protocols and taking appropriate steps may reduce the global disease burden, particularly for developing nations with poor regulatory compliance and large populations of pregnant women.

Alcohol Consumption and Cardiovascular Disease: A Narrative Review of Evolving Perspectives and Long-Term Implications

Cardiovascular illnesses remain the primary cause of death, accounting for at least 17.9 million fatalities per year and posing a significant public health problem because of its extensive predominance and effect on healthcare systems. The etiology of cardiovascular disease is complex and involves several environmental and lifestyle factors. Alcohol use is a highly important determinant because of its dual-edged effect on cardiovascular health. Multiple studies indicate that moderate alcohol consumption may have certain advantages, such as slight enhancements in lipid profiles. Conversely, excessive alcohol intake is associated with serious negative consequences, including cardiomyopathy, hypertension, arrhythmias, and even mortality. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the several effects of alcohol on cardiovascular health and their understanding within the medical field over time. It uses an interpretative narrative review methodology and analyzes studies that focus on genetic risk factors, gender differences, and shifts in paradigms in recent years. This article highlights the need for obtaining a thorough understanding of the effects of alcohol on cardiovascular health to support public health guidelines and clinical practice, and it underscores the significance of including alcohol consumption into the broader context of cardiovascular risk management and identifies important subjects for further study.

TOLLIP and MUC5B modulate the effect of ambient NO2 on respiratory symptoms in infancy

BACKGROUND

Current knowledge suggests that the gene region containing MUC5B and TOLLIP plays a role in airway defence and airway inflammation, and hence respiratory disease. It is also known that exposure to air pollution increases susceptibility to respiratory disease. We aimed to study whether the effect of air pollutants on the immune response and respiratory symptoms in infants may be modified by polymorphisms in MUC5B and TOLLIP genes.

METHODS

359 healthy term infants from the prospective Basel-Bern Infant Lung Development (BILD) birth cohort were included in the study. The main outcome was the score of weekly assessed respiratory symptoms in the first year of life. Using the candidate gene approach, we selected 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the MUC5B and TOLLIP regions. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter ≤10 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) exposure was estimated on a weekly basis. We used generalised additive mixed models adjusted for known covariates. To validate our results in vitro, cells from a lung epithelial cell line were downregulated in TOLLIP expression and exposed to diesel particulate matter (DPM) and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid.

RESULTS

Significant interaction was observed between modelled air pollution (weekly NO2 exposure) and 5 SNPs within MUC5B and TOLLIP genes regarding respiratory symptoms as outcome: E.g., infants carrying minor alleles of rs5744034, rs3793965 and rs3750920 (all TOLLIP) had an increased risk of respiratory symptoms with increasing NO2 exposure. In vitro experiments showed that cells downregulated for TOLLIP react differently to environmental pollutant exposure with DPM and viral stimulation.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the effect of air pollution on respiratory symptoms in infancy may be influenced by the genotype of specific SNPs from the MUC5B and TOLLIP regions. For validation of the findings, we provided in vitro evidence for the interaction of TOLLIP with air pollution.

Human CST Stimulates Base Excision Repair to Prevent the Accumulation of Oxidative DNA Damage

CTC1-STN1-TEN1 (CST) is a single-stranded DNA binding protein vital for telomere length maintenance with additional genome-wide roles in DNA replication and repair. While CST was previously shown to function in double-strand break repair and promote replication restart, it is currently unclear whether it has specialized roles in other DNA repair pathways. Proper and efficient repair of DNA is critical to protecting genome integrity. Telomeres and other G-rich regions are strongly predisposed to oxidative DNA damage in the form of 8-oxoguanines, which are typically repaired by the base-excision repair (BER) pathway. Moreover, recent studies suggest that CST functions in the repair of oxidative DNA lesions. Therefore, we tested whether CST interacts with and regulates BER protein activity. Here, we show that CST robustly stimulates proteins involved in BER, including OGG1, Pol β, APE1, and LIGI, on both telomeric and non-telomeric DNA substrates. Biochemical reconstitution of the pathway indicates that CST stimulates BER. Finally, knockout of STN1 or CTC1 leads to increased levels of 8-oxoguanine, suggesting defective BER in the absence of CST. Combined, our results define an undiscovered function of CST in BER, where it acts as a stimulatory factor to promote efficient genome-wide oxidative repair.

Variations in the oxidation potential of PM2.5 in an old industrial city in China from 2015 to 2018

PM2.5 pollution in China has decreased dramatically, but how its health effects change is not clear. There are 120 old industrial cities in China, where the sources, composition, and health effects of PM2.5 may be significantly different with other cities. Huangshi, an old industrial city in central China, underwent intense green transformations from 2015 to 2018. In this study, we collected ambient PM2.5 samples in 2015 and 2018 at an urban site in Huangshi. The average PM2.5 concentration decreased from 83.44 ± 48.04 μg/m3 in 2015 to 68.03 ± 39.41 μg/m3 in 2018. However, the average volume-normalized dithiothreitol (DTTv) of PM2.5 increased from 1.38 ± 0.45 nmol/min/m3 to 2.14 ± 1.31 nmol/min/m3 and the DTT normalized by particulate mass (DTTm) increased from 20.6 ± 10.1 pmol/min/μg to 40.07 ± 21.9 pmol/min/μg, indicating increased exposure risk and inherent toxicity. The increased toxicity of PM2.5 might be related to the increased trace elements (TEs) concentrations. The positive matrix factorization and multiple linear regression methods were employed to quantify the contributions of emission sources to PM2.5 and DTTv. The results showed that the contribution of coal combustion, industry, and dust to PM2.5 decreased significantly from 2015 to 2018, while that of vehicle emission and secondary sources increased. Despite the decreased fraction of coal combustion and industry sources, their contribution to DTTv increased slightly, which was caused by the increased intrinsic toxicity. The increased intrinsic toxicity was possibly caused by increased TEs, such as Pb, Cu, and V. Besides, the contribution of vehicle emission to DTTv also increased. Overall, these results provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of controlling strategies in reducing particulate health impacts in old industrial cities, and stress the necessity of formulating toxicity-oriented controlling strategies, with special attention to TEs from coal combustion and industry sources as well as vehicle emissions.

Effect of VAChT reduction on lung alterations induced by exposure to iron particles in an asthma model

INTRODUCTION

Pollution harms the health of people with asthma. The effect of the anti-inflammatory cholinergic pathway in chronic allergic inflammation associated to pollution is poorly understood.

METHODS

One hundred eight animals were divided into 18 groups (6 animals). Groups included: wild type mice (WT), genetically modified with reduced VAChT (VAChTKD), and those sensitized with ovalbumin (VAChTKDA), exposed to metal powder due to iron pelletizing in mining company (Local1) or 3.21 miles away from a mining company (Local2) in their locations for 2 weeks during summer and winter seasons. It was analyzed for hyperresponsivity, inflammation, remodeling, oxidative stress responses and the cholinergic system.

RESULTS

During summer, animals without changes in the cholinergic system revealed that Local1 exposure increased the hyperresponsiveness (%Rrs, %Raw), and inflammation (IL-17) relative to vivarium animals, while animals exposed to Local2 also exhibited elevated IL-17. During winter, animals without changes in the cholinergic system revealed that Local2 exposure increased the hyperresponsiveness (%Rrs) relative to vivarium animals. Comparing the exposure local of these animals during summer, animals exposed to Local1 showed elevated %Rrs, Raw, and IL-5 compared to Local 2, while in winter, Local2 exposure led to more IL-17 than Local1. Animals with VAChT attenuation displayed increased %Rrs, NFkappaB, IL-5, and IL-13 but reduced alpha-7 compared to animals without changes in the cholinergic system WT. Animals with VAChT attenuation and asthma showed increased the hyperresponsiveness, all inflammatory markers, remodeling and oxidative stress compared to animals without chronic lung inflammation. Exposure to Local1 exacerbated the hyperresponsiveness, oxidative stressand inflammation in animals with VAChT attenuation associated asthma, while Local2 exposure led to increased inflammation, remodeling and oxidative stress.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduced cholinergic signaling amplifies lung inflammation in a model of chronic allergic lung inflammation. Furthermore, when associated with pollution, it can aggravate specific responses related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and remodeling.

Prenatal air pollution exposure is associated with inflammatory, cardiovascular, and metabolic biomarkers in mothers and newborns

BACKGROUND

Prenatal air pollution exposure has been associated with individual inflammatory, cardiovascular, and metabolic biomarkers in mothers and neonates. However, studies of air pollution and a comprehensive panel of biomarkers across maternal and cord blood samples remain limited. Few studies used data-driven methods to identify biomarker groupings that converge biomarkers from multiple biological pathways. This study aims to investigate the impacts of prenatal air pollution on groups of biomarkers in maternal and cord blood samples.

METHODS

In the Maternal And Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social Stressors (MADRES) cohort, 87 biomarkers were quantified from 45 trimester 1 maternal blood and 55 cord blood samples. Pregnancy and trimester 1-averaged concentrations of particulate matter ≤2.5 μm and ≤10 μm in diameter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) were estimated, using inverse distance squared weighted spatial interpolation from regulatory air monitoring stations. Traffic-related NOx was assessed using California Line Source Dispersion Model: freeway/highway roads, non-freeway major roads, non-freeway minor roads, and their sum as total NOx. Elastic Net (EN) regression within the rexposome R package was used to group biomarkers and assess their associations with air pollution.

RESULTS

In maternal samples, trimester 1-averaged PM10 was associated with elevated inflammation biomarkers and lowered cardiovascular biomarkers. NO2 exhibited positive associations with cardiovascular and inflammation markers. O3 was inversely associated with inflammation, metabolic, and cardiovascular biomarkers. In cord blood, pregnancy-averaged PM2.5 was associated with higher cardiovascular biomarkers and lower metabolic biomarkers. PM10 was associated with lower inflammation and higher cardiovascular biomarkers. Total and major road NOx was associated with lower cardiovascular biomarkers.

CONCLUSION

Prenatal air pollution exposure was associated with changes in biomarkers related to inflammation, cardiovascular, metabolic, cancer, and neurological function in both mothers and neonates. This study shed light on mechanisms by which air pollution can influence biological function during pregnancy.

Recent Advances in Thiourea Based Colorimetric and Fluorescent Chemosensors for Detection of Anions and Neutral Analytes: A Review

Thioureas and their derivatives are organosulfur compounds having excellent biological and non-biological applications. These compounds contain S- and N-, which are nucleophilic and allow for establishing inter-and intramolecular hydrogen bonding. These characteristics make thiourea moiety a very important chemosensor to detect various environmental pollutants. This article covers a broad range of thioureas and their derivatives that are used for highly sensitive, selective, and simple fluorimetric (turn-off and turn-on), and colorimetric chemosensors for the detection and determination of different types of anions, such as CN-, AcO-, F-, ClO- and citrate ions, etc., and neutral analytes such as ATP, DCP, and Amlodipine, etc., in biological, environmental, and agriculture samples. Further, the sensing performances of thioureas-based chemosensors have been compared and discussed, which could help the readers for the future design of organic fluorescent and colorimetric sensors to detect anions and neutral analytes. We hope this study will support the new thoughts to design highly efficient, selective, and sensitive chemosensors to detect different analytes in biological, environmental, and agricultural samples.

Advances in metal-organic framework-based nanozymes in ROS scavenging medicine

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play important roles in regulating various physiological functions in the human body, however, excessive ROS can cause serious damage to the human body, considering the various limitations of natural enzymes as scavengers of ROS in the body, the development of better materials for the scavenging of ROS is of great significance to the biomedical field, and nanozymes, as a kind of nanomaterials which can show the activity of natural enzymes. Have a good potential for the development in the area of ROS scavenging. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are porous crystalline materials with a periodic network structure composed of metal nodes and organic ligands, have been developed with a variety of active nanozymes including catalase-like, superoxide dismutase-like, and glutathione peroxidase-like enzymes due to the adjustability of active sites, structural diversity, excellent biocompatibility, and they have shown a wide range of applications and prospects. In the present review, we first introduce three representative natural enzymes for ROS scavenging in the human body, methods for the detection of relevant enzyme-like activities and mechanisms of enzyme-like clearance are discussed, meanwhile, we systematically summarize the progress of the research on MOF-based nanozymes, including the design strategy, mechanism of action, and medical application, etc. Finally, the current challenges of MOF-based nanozymes are summarized, and the future development direction is anticipated. We hope that this review can contribute to the research of MOF-based nanozymes in the medical field related to the scavenging of ROS.

Exploring the Impact of French Raw-Milk Cheeses on Oxidative Process Using Caenorhabditis elegans and Human Leukocyte Models

Fermented foods, including cheeses, have garnered increased interest in recent years for their potential health benefits. This study explores the biological properties of eight French raw-milk cheeses-goat cheese, Saint-Nectaire, Cantal, Bleu d'Auvergne, Roquefort, Comté, Brie de Meaux, and Epoisses-on oxidative processes using both in vivo (Caenorhabditis elegans) and in vitro (human leukocytes) models. A cheese fractionation protocol was adapted to study four fractions for each cheese: a freeze-dried fraction (FDC) corresponding to whole cheese, an apolar (ApE), and two polar extracts (W40 and W70). We showed that all cheese fractions significantly improved Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) survival rates when exposed to oxidative conditions by up to five times compared to the control, regardless of the fractionation protocol and the cheese type. They were also all able to reduce the in vivo accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by up to 70% under oxidative conditions, thereby safeguarding C. elegans from oxidative damage. These beneficial effects were explained by a reduction in ROS production up to 50% in vitro in human leukocytes and overexpression of antioxidant factor-encoding genes (daf-16, skn-1, ctl-2, and sod-3) in C. elegans.

Airborne Exposure to Pollutants and Mental Health: A Review with Implications for United States Veterans

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Inhalation of airborne pollutants in the natural and built environment is ubiquitous; yet, exposures are different across a lifespan and unique to individuals. Here, we reviewed the connections between mental health outcomes from airborne pollutant exposures, the biological inflammatory mechanisms, and provide future directions for researchers and policy makers. The current state of knowledge is discussed on associations between mental health outcomes and Clean Air Act criteria pollutants, traffic-related air pollutants, pesticides, heavy metals, jet fuel, and burn pits.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although associations between airborne pollutants and negative physical health outcomes have been a topic of previous investigations, work highlighting associations between exposures and psychological health is only starting to emerge. Research on criteria pollutants and mental health outcomes has the most robust results to date, followed by traffic-related air pollutants, and then pesticides. In contrast, scarce mental health research has been conducted on exposure to heavy metals, jet fuel, and burn pits. Specific cohorts of individuals, such as United States military members and in-turn, Veterans, often have unique histories of exposures, including service-related exposures to aircraft (e.g. jet fuels) and burn pits. Research focused on Veterans and other individuals with an increased likelihood of exposure and higher vulnerability to negative mental health outcomes is needed. Future research will facilitate knowledge aimed at both prevention and intervention to improve physical and mental health among military personnel, Veterans, and other at-risk individuals.

Environmental pollutants and exosomes: A new paradigm in environmental health and disease

This study investigates the intricate interplay between environmental pollutants and exosomes, shedding light on a novel paradigm in environmental health and disease. Cellular stress, induced by environmental toxicants or disease, significantly impacts the production and composition of exosomes, crucial mediators of intercellular communication. The heat shock response (HSR) and unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways, activated during cellular stress, profoundly influence exosome generation, cargo sorting, and function, shaping intercellular communication and stress responses. Environmental pollutants, particularly lipophilic ones, directly interact with exosome lipid bilayers, potentially affecting membrane stability, release, and cellular uptake. The study reveals that exposure to environmental contaminants induces significant changes in exosomal proteins, miRNAs, and lipids, impacting cellular function and health. Understanding the impact of environmental pollutants on exosomal cargo holds promise for biomarkers of exposure, enabling non-invasive sample collection and real-time insights into ongoing cellular responses. This research explores the potential of exosomal biomarkers for early detection of health effects, assessing treatment efficacy, and population-wide screening. Overcoming challenges requires advanced isolation techniques, standardized protocols, and machine learning for data analysis. Integration with omics technologies enhances comprehensive molecular analysis, offering a holistic understanding of the complex regulatory network influenced by environmental pollutants. The study underscores the capability of exosomes in circulation as promising biomarkers for assessing environmental exposure and systemic health effects, contributing to advancements in environmental health research and disease prevention.

Exposure to urban particulate matter alters responses of olfactory mucosal cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Respiratory viruses have a significant impact on health, as highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Exposure to air pollution can contribute to viral susceptibility and be associated with severe outcomes, as suggested by recent epidemiological studies. Furthermore, exposure to particulate matter (PM), an important constituent of air pollution, is linked to adverse effects on the brain, including cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The olfactory mucosa (OM), a tissue located at the rooftop of the nasal cavity, is directly exposed to inhaled air and in direct contact with the brain. Increasing evidence of OM dysfunction related to neuropathogenesis and viral infection demonstrates the importance of elucidating the interplay between viruses and air pollutants at the OM. This study examined the effects of subacute exposure to urban PM 0.2 and PM 10-2.5 on SARS-CoV-2 infection using primary human OM cells obtained from cognitively healthy individuals and individuals diagnosed with AD. OM cells were exposed to PM and subsequently infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the presence of pollutants. SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors and replication, toxicological endpoints, cytokine release, oxidative stress markers, and amyloid beta levels were measured. Exposure to PM did not enhance the expression of viral entry receptors or cellular viral load in human OM cells. However, PM-exposed and SARS-CoV-2-infected cells showed alterations in cellular and immune responses when compared to cells infected only with the virus or pollutants. These changes are highly pronounced in AD OM cells. These results suggest that exposure of human OM cells to PM does not increase susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro, but it can alter cellular immune responses to the virus, particularly in AD. Understanding the interplay of air pollutants and COVID-19 can provide important insight for the development of public health policies and interventions to reduce the negative influences of air pollution exposure.

Clinical Studies Using Topical Melatonin

Melatonin is ubiquitously present in all animals and plants, where it exerts a variety of physiological activities thanks to its antioxidant properties and its key role as the first messenger of extracellular signaling functions. Most of the clinical studies on melatonin refer to its widespread oral use as a dietary supplement to improve sleep. A far smaller number of articles describe the clinical applications of topical melatonin to treat or prevent skin disorders by exploiting its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This review focuses on the clinical studies in which melatonin was applied on the skin as a photoprotective, anti-aging, or hair growth-promoting agent. The methodologies and results of such studies are discussed to provide an overall picture of the state of the art in this intriguing field of research. The clinical studies in which melatonin was applied on the skin before exposure to radiation (UV, sunlight, and high-energy beams) were all characterized by an appropriate design (randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled) and strongly support its clinical efficacy in preventing or reducing skin damage such as dermatitis, erythema, and sunburn. Most of the studies examined in this review do not provide a clear demonstration of the efficacy of topical melatonin as a skin anti-aging or as a hair growth-promoting agent owing to limitations in their design and/or to the use of melatonin combined with extra active ingredients, except for one trial that suggests a possible beneficial role of melatonin in treating some forms of alopecia in women. Further research efforts are required to reach definitive conclusions concerning the actual benefits of topical melatonin to counteract skin aging and hair loss.

Effects of environmental exposure to iron powder on healthy and elastase-exposed mice

Prolonged exposure to iron powder and other mineral dusts can threaten the health of individuals, especially those with COPD. The goal of this study was to determine how environmental exposure to metal dust from two different mining centers in Brazil affects lung mechanics, inflammation, remodeling and oxidative stress responses in healthy and elastase-exposed mice. This study divided 72 male C57Bl/6 mice into two groups, the summer group and the winter group. These groups were further divided into six groups: control, nonexposed (SAL); nonexposed, given elastase (ELA); exposed to metal powder at a mining company (SAL-L1 and ELA-L1); and exposed to a location three miles away from the mining company (SAL-L2 and ELA-L2) for four weeks. On the 29th day of the protocol, the researchers assessed lung mechanics, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), inflammation, remodeling, oxidative stress, macrophage iron and alveolar wall alterations (mean linear intercept-Lm). The Lm was increased in the ELA, ELA-L1 and ELA-L2 groups compared to the SAL group (p < 0.05). There was an increase in the total number of cells and macrophages in the ELA-L1 and ELA-L2 groups compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Compared to the ELA and SAL groups, the exposed groups (ELA-L1, ELA-L2, SAL-L1, and SAL-L2) exhibited increased expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, neutrophil elastase, TIMP-1, MMP-9, MMP-12, TGF-β, collagen fibers, MUC5AC, iNOS, Gp91phox, NFkB and iron positive macrophages (p < 0.05). Although we did not find differences in lung mechanics across all groups, there were low to moderate correlations between inflammation remodeling, oxidative stress and NFkB with elastance, resistance of lung tissue and iron positive macrophages (p < 0.05). Environmental exposure to iron, confirmed by evaluation of iron in alveolar macrophages and in air, exacerbated inflammation, initiated remodeling, and induced oxidative stress responses in exposed mice with and without emphysema. Activation of the iNOS, Gp91phox and NFkB pathways play a role in these changes.

Outdoor fine particulate matter exposure and telomere length in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Although the association between changes in human telomere length (TL) and ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been documented, there remains disagreement among the related literature. Our study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies to investigate the health effects of outdoor PM2.5 exposure on human TL after a thorough database search. To quantify the overall effect estimates of TL changes associated with every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 exposure, we focused on two main topics, which were outdoor long-term exposure and prenatal exposure of PM2.5. Additionally, we included a summary of short-term PM2.5 exposure and its impact on TL due to limited data availability. Our qualitative analysis included 20 studies with 483,600 participants. The meta-analysis showed a statistically significant association between outdoor PM2.5 exposure and shorter human TL, with pooled impact estimates (β) of -0.12 (95% CI: -0.20, -0.03, I2= 95.4%) for general long-term exposure and -0.07 (95% CI: -0.15, 0.00, I2= 74.3%) for prenatal exposure. In conclusion, our findings suggest that outdoor PM2.5 exposure may contribute to TL shortening, and noteworthy associations were observed in specific subgroups, suggesting the impact of various research variables. Larger, high-quality studies using standardized methodologies are necessary to strengthen these conclusions further.

A review of air pollution as a driver of cardiovascular disease risk across the diabetes spectrum

The prevalence of diabetes is estimated to reach almost 630 million cases worldwide by the year 2045; of current and projected cases, over 90% are type 2 diabetes. Air pollution exposure has been implicated in the onset and progression of diabetes. Increased exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) is associated with increases in blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) across the glycemic spectrum, including normoglycemia, prediabetes, and all forms of diabetes. Air pollution exposure is a driver of cardiovascular disease onset and exacerbation and can increase cardiovascular risk among those with diabetes. In this review, we summarize the literature describing the relationships between air pollution exposure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, highlighting how airborne pollutants can disrupt glucose homeostasis. We discuss how air pollution and diabetes, via shared mechanisms leading to endothelial dysfunction, drive increased cardiovascular disease risk. We identify portable air cleaners as potentially useful tools to prevent adverse cardiovascular outcomes due to air pollution exposure across the diabetes spectrum, while emphasizing the need for further study in this particular population. Given the enormity of the health and financial impacts of air pollution exposure on patients with diabetes, a greater understanding of the interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk in this population is needed.

Effect of air pollution on asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by respiratory symptoms, variable airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and airway inflammation. Exposure to air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of asthma development and exacerbation. This review aims to comprehensively summarize recent data on the impact of air pollution on asthma development and exacerbation. Specifically, we reviewed the effects of air pollution on the pathogenic pathways of asthma, including type 2 and non-type 2 inflammatory responses, and airway epithelial barrier dysfunction. Air pollution promotes the release of epithelial cytokines, driving TH2 responses, and induces oxidative stress and the production of proinflammatory cytokines. The enhanced type 2 inflammation, furthered by air pollution-induced dysfunction of the airway epithelial barrier, may be associated with the exacerbation of asthma. Disruption of the TH17/regulatory T cell balance by air pollutants is also related to asthma exacerbation. As the effects of air pollution exposure may accumulate over time, with potentially stronger impacts in the development of asthma during certain sensitive life periods, we also reviewed the effects of air pollution on asthma across the lifespan. Future research is needed to better characterize the sensitive period contributing to the development of air pollution-induced asthma and to map air pollution-associated epigenetic biomarkers contributing to the epigenetic ages onto asthma-related genes.

Reduction of ovarian reserves and activation of necroptosis to in vivo air pollution exposures

We investigated the association between air pollution and changes in ovarian follicles, anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, the occurrence of necroptosis cell death by activation of receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) and, the activation of mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) proteins. Forty-two female Wistar rats were divided into three groups of 14 each, which were exposed to real-ambient air, filtered air and purified air (control) in two periods of 3 and 5 months. The results showed that the number of ovarian follicles decreased in the group exposed to real-ambient air versus the control group (P < 0.0001). The trend of age-related AMH changes with respect to exposure to air pollutants was affected and its levels decreased after 3 months of exposure. The MLKL increased in the group exposed to the real-ambient air compared to the control group (P = 0.033). Apparently long-term exposure to air pollution can reduce ovarian reserves.

Association of mixed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure with oxidative stress in Korean adults

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread pollutants associated with several adverse health effects and PAH-induced oxidative stress has been proposed as a potential mechanism. This study evaluated the associations of single and multiple PAHs exposure with oxidative stress within the Korean adult population, using serum gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) as an oxidative stress marker. Data from the Second Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2012-2014) were analyzed. For analysis, 5225 individuals were included. PAH exposure was assessed with four urinary PAH metabolites: 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, and 2-naphthol. After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, drinking, passive smoking, and current smoking (model 1), as well as the presence of diabetes and hepatobiliary diseases (model 2), complex samples general linear model regression analyses for each metabolite revealed a significant positive association between Ln(1-hydroxyphenanthrene) and Ln(GGT) (model 1: β = 0.040, p < 0.01 and model 2: β = 0.044, p < 0.05). For the complete dataset (n = 4378), a significant positive association was observed between mixture of four urinary PAH metabolites and serum GGT in both the quantile g-computation and the Bayesian kernel machine regression analysis. Our study provides evidence for the association between mixed PAH exposure and oxidative stress.

The emerging role of hypoxia and environmental factors in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and debilitating disorder characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite extensive research, the exact cause of IBD remains unknown, hampering the development of effective therapies. However, emerging evidence suggests that hypoxia, a condition resulting from inadequate oxygen supply, plays a crucial role in intestinal inflammation and tissue damage in IBD. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), transcription factors that regulate the cellular response to low oxygen levels, have gained attention for their involvement in modulating inflammatory processes and maintaining tissue homeostasis. The two most studied HIFs, HIF-1α and HIF-2α, have been implicated in the development and progression of IBD. Toxicological factors encompass a wide range of environmental and endogenous agents, including dietary components, microbial metabolites, and pollutants. These factors can profoundly influence the hypoxic microenvironment within the gut, thereby exacerbating the course of IBD and fostering the progression of colitis-associated colorectal cancer. This review explores the regulation of hypoxia signaling at the molecular, microenvironmental, and environmental levels, investigating the intricate interplay between toxicological factors and hypoxic signaling in the context of IBD, focusing on its most concerning outcomes: intestinal fibrosis and colorectal cancer.

In Vitro Evaluation of the Antioxidant Capacity of 3,3-Disubstituted-3H-benzofuran-2-one Derivatives in a Cellular Model of Neurodegeneration

Oxidative stress represents a hallmark for many degenerative pathologies of the Central Nervous System. Throughout life, the constant pressure of noxious stimuli and/or episodes of traumatic events may expose the brain to a microenvironment where the non-balanced reactive oxygen species inevitably lead to neuronal loss and cognitive decline. HO-1, a 32 kDa heat-shock protein catalyzing the degradation of heme into carbon monoxide (CO), iron and biliverdin/bilirubin is considered one of the main antioxidant defense mechanisms playing pivotal roles in neuroprotection. Restoring the redox homeostasis is the goal of many natural or synthetic antioxidant molecules pursuing beneficial effects on brain functions. Here, we investigated the antioxidant capacity of four selected benzofuran-2-one derivatives in a cellular model of neurodegeneration represented by differentiated SH-SY5Y cells exposed to catechol-induced oxidative stress. Our main results highlight how all the molecules have antioxidant properties, especially compound 9, showing great abilities in reducing intracellular ROS levels and protecting differentiated SH-SY5Y cells from catechol-induced death. This compound above all seems to boost HO-1 mRNA and perinuclear HO-1 protein isoform expression when cells are exposed to the oxidative insult. Our findings open the way to consider benzofuran-2-ones as a novel and promising adjuvant antioxidant strategy for many neurodegenerative disorders.

Epithelial MAPK signaling directs endothelial NRF2 signaling and IL-8 secretion in a tri-culture model of the alveolar-microvascular interface following diesel exhaust particulate (DEP) exposure

BACKGROUND

Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) deposition in the lung's alveolar capillary region (ACR) is significantly associated with respiratory disease development, yet the molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. Adverse responses that promote respiratory disease development involve orchestrated, intercellular signaling between multiple cell types within the ACR. We investigated the molecular mechanisms elicited in response to PM2.5 deposition in the ACR, in an in vitro model that enables intercellular communication between multiple resident cell types of the ACR.

METHODS

An in vitro, tri-culture model of the ACR, incorporating alveolar-like epithelial cells (NCI-H441), pulmonary fibroblasts (IMR90), and pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HULEC) was developed to investigate cell type-specific molecular responses to a PM2.5 exposure in an in-vivo-like model. This tri-culture in vitro model was termed the alveolar capillary region exposure (ACRE) model. Alveolar epithelial cells in the ACRE model were exposed to a suspension of diesel exhaust particulates (DEP) (20 µg/cm2) with an average diameter of 2.5 µm. Alveolar epithelial barrier formation, and transcriptional and protein expression alterations in the directly exposed alveolar epithelial and the underlying endothelial cells were investigated over a 24 h DEP exposure.

RESULTS

Alveolar epithelial barrier formation was not perturbed by the 24 h DEP exposure. Despite no alteration in barrier formation, we demonstrate that alveolar epithelial DEP exposure induces transcriptional and protein changes in both the alveolar epithelial cells and the underlying microvascular endothelial cells. Specifically, we show that the underlying microvascular endothelial cells develop redox dysfunction and increase proinflammatory cytokine secretion. Furthermore, we demonstrate that alveolar epithelial MAPK signaling modulates the activation of NRF2 and IL-8 secretion in the underlying microvascular endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Endothelial redox dysfunction and increased proinflammatory cytokine secretion are two common events in respiratory disease development. These findings highlight new, cell-type specific roles of the alveolar epithelium and microvascular endothelium in the ACR in respiratory disease development following PM2.5 exposure. Ultimately, these data expand our current understanding of respiratory disease development following particle exposures and illustrate the utility of multicellular in vitro systems for investigating respiratory tract health.

A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study on Respiratory Health and Spirometry-Assessed Pulmonary Function Among Textile Workers in Tamil Nadu, India

Introduction The textile industry is one of the largest economic activities. Still, the laborers involved in it are exposed to various health-damaging air pollutants, putting them at risk of health issues including morbidities of the respiratory system. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the pulmonary function parameters of the workers involved in textile manufacturing-related jobs. Methodology A cross-sectional study was carried out among adult individuals who had been working in textile manufacturing-related jobs as their main work. The details such as sociodemographic, clinical, workplace conditions, and smoking habits were collected, as well as chest auscultation and lung spirometry using a hand-held spirometer. The participants who had normal and abnormal lung function patterns were statistically analyzed for potential influencing factors. Results The findings of the study conducted from 95 eligible participants identified that the pulmonary function parameters assessed by spirometry were in the abnormal range among 84 (88%) participants. Around 72 (82%) of them had a restrictive pattern, and six (6%) had both restrictive and obstructive (mixed) patterns of lung disease. Smokers and those who lacked cross-ventilation and/or fresh source of air in the workplace were more likely to have abnormal lung function. Participants who had their workplace and residence as same had significantly 6.44 (95% CI: 1.24, 33.36) times higher odds of having abnormal lung function in spirometry. Conclusion As workers involved in household-run textile manufacturing jobs are found to be at a higher risk of developing abnormal lung function, using personal protective equipment, following occupational safety measures, and improving the working environment to acceptable standards are essential to safeguard the respiratory health of laborers in such unorganized sectors.

Association of long-term ozone air pollution and age-related macular degeneration in older Chinese population

BACKGROUND

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness. It remains unclear whether and to what extent the ambient ozone pollution could increase the risk of AMD.

METHODS

A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted in 129 major cities in 27 of 31 provincial regions across China from 2018 to 2021. Data in relation to demographics, residential address, and medical histories were collected. The exposure-response relationship between ozone exposure and AMD was explored using the restricted cubic splines. A piecewise logistic regression model was used to examine the magnitudes of the association, after adjusting demographic, social-economic and co-pollutants. Residential ozone exposures were estimated using a satellite-based model.

RESULTS

A total of 624,167 middle-aged and older participants were included in the final analyses, the overall prevalence of AMD was 16.76 %. The risk of AMD was consistently increasing with higher warm-season ozone concentration, and the risk became much larger after the cut-off of 110 μg/m3 (approximately 50 ppb). Every 10 μg/m3 increment in warm-season ozone concentration, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for AMD were 1.15 (1.13, 1.16) and 1.66 (1.63, 1.69) when the warm-season ozone concentration was below or above 110 μg/m3, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This large-scale nationwide study provides the first epidemiological evidence demonstrating significant associations between long-term residential ozone exposure and AMD prevalence. Based on our findings, in conjunction with WHO global air quality guidelines, we suggest that a warm-season ozone of 110 μg/m3 should be adopted for middle-aged and older populations to reduce the risk of AMD. Ongoing efforts to reduce ozone exposure in communities through improved air quality regulations and public education are essential for the improvement of public health.

Effects of personal exposure to the oxidative potential of PM2.5 on oxidative stress biomarkers in pregnant women

Oxidative stress is a prominent pathway for the health effects associated with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure. Oxidative potential (OP) of PM has been associated to several health endpoints, but studies on its impact on biomarkers of oxidative stress remains insufficient. 300 pregnant women from the SEPAGES cohort (France) carried personal PM2.5 samplers for a week and OP was measured using ascorbic acid (AA) and dithiothreitol (DTT) assays, and normalized by 1) PM2.5 mass (OPm) and 2) sampled air volume (OPv). A pool of three urine spots collected on the 7th day of PM sampling was analyzed for biomarkers, namely 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-isoprostaglandin-F2α (8-isoPGF2α). Associations were investigated using adjusted multiple linear regressions. OP effects were additionally investigated by stratifying by median PM2.5 concentration (14 μg m-3). In the main models, no association was observed with 8-isoPGF2α, nor MDA. An interquartile range (IQR) increase in OPmAA exposure was associated with increased 8-OHdG (percent change: 6.2 %; 95 % CI: 0.2 % to 12.6 %). In the stratified analysis, exposure to OPmAA was associated with 8-OHdG for participants exposed to low levels of PM2.5 (percent change: 11.4 %; 95 % CI: 3.3 % to 20.1 %), but not for those exposed to high levels (percent change: -1.0 %; 95 % CI: -10.6 % to 9.6 %). Associations for OPmDTT also followed a similar pattern (p-values for OPmAA-PM and OPmDTT-PM interaction terms were 0.12 and 0.11, respectively). Overall, our findings suggest that OPmAA may be associated with increased DNA oxidative damage. This association was not observed with PM2.5 mass concentration exposure. The effects of OPmAA in 8-OHdG tended to be stronger at lower (below median) vs. higher concentrations of PM2.5. Further epidemiological, toxicological and aerosol research are needed to further investigate the OPmAA effects on 8-OHdG and the potential modifying effect of PM mass concentration on this association.

Nonlinear proinflammatory effect of short-term PM2.5 exposure: A potential role of lipopolysaccharide

The association between PM2.5 (particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm) short-term exposure and its health effect is non-linear from the epidemiological studies. And this nonlinearity is suggested to be related with the PM2.5 heterogeneity, however, the underlying biological mechanism is still unclear. Here, a total of 38 PM2.5 filters were collected continuously for three weeks in winter Beijing, with the ambient PM2.5 varying between 10 and 270 µg/m3. Human monocytes-derived macrophages (THP-1) were treated with PM2.5 water-soluble elutes at 10 µg/mL to investigate the PM2.5 short-term exposure effect from a proinflammatory perspective. The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induced by the PM2.5 elutes at equal concentrations were unequal, showing the heterogeneity of PM2.5 proinflammatory potentials. Of the various chemical and biological components, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) showed a strong positive association with the TNF heterogeneity. However, some outliers were observed among the TNF-LPS association. Specifically, for PM2.5 from relatively clean air episodes, the higher LPS amount corresponded to relatively low TNF levels. And this phenomenon was also observed in the promotion tests by treating macrophages with PM2.5 elutes dosed with additional trace LPS. Gene expression analysis indicated the involvement of oxidative-stress related genes in the LPS signaling pathway. Therefore, a potential oxidative-stress-mediated suppression on the PM2.5-borne LPS proinflammatory effect was proposed to be accounted for the outliers. Overall, the results showed the differential role of LPS in the heterogeneity of PM2.5 proinflammatory effects from a component-based perspective. Future experimental studies are needed to elucidate the signaling pathway of LPS attached on PM2.5 from different air quality episodes.

Optimized chemical labeling method for isolation of 8-oxoG-modified RNA, ChLoRox-Seq, identifies mRNAs enriched in oxidation and transcriptome-wide distribution biases of oxidation events post environmental stress

Bulk increases in nucleobase oxidation, most commonly manifesting as the guanine (G) nucleobase modification 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG), have been linked to several disease pathologies. Elucidating the effects of RNA oxidation on cellular homoeostasis is limited by a lack of effective tools for detecting specific regions modified with 8-oxoG. Building on a previously published method for studying 8-oxoG in DNA, we developed ChLoRox-Seq, which works by covalently functionalizing 8-oxoG sites in RNA with biotin. Importantly, this method enables antibody-free enrichment of 8-oxoG-containing RNA fragments for Next Generation Sequencing-based detection of modified regions transcriptome-wide. We demonstrate the high specificity of ChLoRox-Seq for functionalizing 8-oxoG over unmodified nucleobases in RNA and benchmark this specificity to a commonly used antibody-based approach. Key advantages of ChLoRox-Seq include: (1) heightened resolution of RNA oxidation regions (e.g. exon-level) and (2) lower experimental costs. By applying ChLoRox-Seq to mRNA extracted from human lung epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) after exposure to environmentally relevant stress, we observe that 8-oxoG modifications tend to cluster in regions that are G-rich and within mRNA transcripts possessing longer 5' UTR and CDS regions. These findings provide new insight into the complex mechanisms that bias the accumulation of RNA oxidation across the transcriptome. Notably, our analysis suggests the possibility that most mRNA oxidation events are probabilistically driven and that mRNAs that possess more favourable intrinsic properties are prone to incur oxidation events at elevated rates. ChLoRox-Seq can be readily applied in future studies to identify regions of elevated RNA oxidation in any cellular model of interest.

Association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and biomarkers indicative of inflammation and oxidative stress: a cross-sectional study using KoGES-HEXA data

BACKGROUND

Air pollution-induced systemic inflammation and oxidative stress are hypothesized to be the major biological mechanisms underlying pathological outcomes. We examined the association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in 2199 general middle-aged Korean population residing in metropolitan areas.

METHODS

Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α) and urinary levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were measured. Daily concentrations of a series of air pollutants (particulate matter [PM]10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3) were predicted using the Community Multiscale Air Quality modeling system, and participant-level pollutant exposure was determined using geocoded residential addresses. Short-term exposure was defined as the 1- to 7-day moving averages.

RESULTS

The multivariable-adjusted linear models controlling for the sociodemographic, lifestyle, temporal, and meteorological factors identified positive associations of PM with IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and 8-OHdG levels; SO2 with IL-10 levels, CO with IL-1β, IL-10, and TNF-α levels; and O3 with IL-1β, IL-8, and 8-OHdG levels. O3 levels were inversely associated with IL-10 levels. For each pollutant, the strongest associations were observed for the 7-day average PM and CO with IL-1β (per 10-µg/m3 increase in PM10: 2.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.6-4.8; per 10-µg/m3 increase in PM2.5: 6.4%, 95% CI = 2.4-10.5; per 0.1-ppm increase in CO: 3.3%, 95% CI = 0.3-6.5); the 2-day average SO2 with IL-10 levels (per 1-ppb increase in SO2: 1.1%, 95% CI = 0.1-2.1); and the 7-day average O3 with IL-8 levels (per 1-ppb increase in O3: 1.3%, 95% CI = 0.7-1.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants may induce oxidative damage and pro-inflammatory roles, together with counter-regulatory anti-inflammatory response.