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Naserinejad N, Costanian C, Birot O, Barboni T, Roudier E. Wildland fire, air pollution and cardiovascular health: is it time to focus on the microvasculature as a risk assessment tool? Front Physiol 2023; 14:1225195. [PMID: 37538378 PMCID: PMC10394245 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1225195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change favors weather conditions conducive to wildland fires. The intensity and frequency of forest fires are increasing, and fire seasons are lengthening. Exposure of human populations to smoke emitted by these fires increases, thereby contributing to airborne pollution through the emission of gas and particulate matter (PM). The adverse health outcomes associated with wildland fire exposure represent an important burden on the economies and health systems of societies. Even though cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the main of cause of the global burden of diseases attributable to PM exposure, it remains difficult to show reliable associations between exposure to wildland fire smoke and cardiovascular disease risk in population-based studies. Optimal health requires a resilient and adaptable network of small blood vessels, namely, the microvasculature. Often alterations of this microvasculature precede the occurrence of adverse health outcomes, including CVD. Biomarkers of microvascular health could then represent possible markers for the early detection of poor cardiovascular outcomes. This review aims to synthesize the current literature to gauge whether assessing the microvasculature can better estimate the cardiovascular impact of wildland fires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazgol Naserinejad
- School of Global Health, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christy Costanian
- School of Global Health, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Olivier Birot
- Muscle Health Research Center, School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Toussaint Barboni
- Laboratoire des Sciences Pour l’Environnement (SPE), UMR-CNRS 6134, University of Corsica Pasquale Paoli, Campus Grimaldi, Corte, France
| | - Emilie Roudier
- School of Global Health, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Muscle Health Research Center, School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Gui SY, Wang XC, Qiao JC, Xiao DC, Hu CY, Tao FB, Liu DW, Yi XL, Jiang ZX. Short-term exposure to air pollution and outpatient visits for conjunctivitis: a time-series analysis in Urumqi, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:66400-66416. [PMID: 37095216 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26995-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Conjunctivitis is an inflammatory disease of the conjunctival tissue caused by a variety of causes; despite the conjunctiva being directly exposed to the external atmospheric environment, the important role of air pollution is not fully evaluated, especially in areas with poor air quality undergoing rapid economic and industrial development. Information on 59,731 outpatient conjunctivitis visits from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2020 was obtained from the Ophthalmology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University (Urumqi, Xinjiang, China), and data on six air pollutants including particulate matter with a median aerometric diameter of less than 10 and 2.5 mm (PM10 and PM2.5, respectively), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) from eleven standard urban background fixed air quality monitors were also recorded. A time-series analysis design and a quasi-Poisson generalized linear regression model combined with a distributed lagged nonlinear model (DLNM) were used to fit the effect of exposure to air pollutants on the risk of conjunctivitis outpatient visits. Further subgroup analyses were conducted for gender, age, and season, as well as the type of conjunctivitis. Single and multi-pollutant models showed that exposure to PM2.5, PM10, NO2, CO, and O3 was associated with increased risk of outpatient conjunctivitis visits on the lag 0 day and various other lag days. Variations in the effect estimates on direction and magnitude were found in different subgroup analyses. We conducted the first time-series analysis with the longest duration as well as the largest sample size in Northwest China, which provides evidence that outpatient conjunctivitis visits is significantly associated with air pollution in Urumqi, China. Meanwhile, our results demonstrate the effectiveness of SO2 reduction in reducing the risk of outpatient conjunctivitis visits in the Urumqi region and reaffirm the need to implement special air pollution control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yu Gui
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, 230601, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xin-Chen Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Jian-Chao Qiao
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Dun-Cheng Xiao
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Cheng-Yang Hu
- Department of Humanistic Medicine, School of Humanistic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Fang-Biao Tao
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Dong-Wei Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Xiang-Long Yi
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, 137 Liyu Shan Road, Ürümqi, 830011, China
| | - Zheng-Xuan Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, 230601, China.
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Boniardi L, Campo L, Olgiati L, Longhi F, Scuffi C, Fustinoni S. Biological monitoring and personal exposure to traffic-related air pollutants of elementary school-age children living in a metropolitan area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159654. [PMID: 36280056 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
An ever-growing burden of scientific evidence links air pollution to different aspects of human health even at very low concentrations; the impact increases for those living in urban environments, especially the youngest and the elderly. This study investigated the exposure to air pollution of urban school children of Milan, Italy, by personal and biological monitoring, in the frame of the MAPS-MI project. A total of 128 primary school children (7-11 years) were involved in a two-season monitoring campaign during spring 2018 and winter 2019. Personal exposure to airborne VOCs and eBC, and biological monitoring of urinary benzene (BEN-U) and methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE-U) were performed. Time-activity patterns, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), spatial, and meteorological information were evaluated as determinants in mixed effects regression analysis. Children personal exposure was mostly quantifiable with median (5th-95th percentile) levels 1.9 (0.8-7.5) μg/m3 for eBC, and 1.1 (<0.6-3.4) and 0.8 (0.3-1.8) μg/m3 for benzene and MTBE, respectively; with values 2-3-fold higher in winter than in spring. In urine, median (5th-95th) BEN-U and MTBE-U levels were 44.9 (25.7-98.6) and 11.5 (5.0-35.5) ng/L, respectively. Mixed effect regression models explained from 72 to 93 % of the total variability for air pollutants, and from 58 to 61 % for biomarkers. Major contributors of personal exposure were season, wind speed, mobility- or traffic-related variables; biomarkers were mostly predicted by airborne exposure and ETS. Our results suggest that traffic-mitigation actions, together with parents' educational interventions on ETS and commuting mode, should be undertaken to lower children exposure to air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Boniardi
- EPIGET - Epidemiology, Epigenetics, and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Campo
- EPIGET - Epidemiology, Epigenetics, and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Italy.
| | - Luca Olgiati
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Environmental and Industrial Toxicology Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Longhi
- EPIGET - Epidemiology, Epigenetics, and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Scuffi
- EPIGET - Epidemiology, Epigenetics, and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Fustinoni
- EPIGET - Epidemiology, Epigenetics, and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Italy; Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Environmental and Industrial Toxicology Unit, Milan, Italy
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Yuan T, Zou H. Effects of air pollution on myopia: an update on clinical evidence and biological mechanisms. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:70674-70685. [PMID: 36031679 PMCID: PMC9515022 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22764-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Myopia is one of the most common forms of refractive eye disease and considered as a worldwide pandemic experienced by half of the global population by 2050. During the past several decades, myopia has become a leading cause of visual impairment, whereas several factors are believed to be associated with its occurrence and development. In terms of environmental factors, air pollution has gained more attention in recent years, as exposure to ambient air pollution seems to increase peripheral hyperopia defocus, affect the dopamine pathways, and cause retinal ischemia. In this review, we highlight epidemiological evidence and potential biological mechanisms that may link exposure to air pollutants to myopia. A thorough understanding of these mechanisms is a key for establishing and implementing targeting strategies. Regulatory efforts to control air pollution through effective policies and limit individual exposure to preventable risks are required in reducing this global public health burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Yuan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haidong Zou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Eye Diseases Prevention & Treatment Center, Shanghai Eye Hospital, Shanghai, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China.
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Gu Y, Hao S, Liu K, Gao M, Lu B, Sheng F, Zhang L, Xu Y, Wu D, Han Y, Chen S, Zhao W, Lou X, Wang X, Li P, Chen Z, Yao K, Fu Q. Airborne fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) damages the inner blood-retinal barrier by inducing inflammation and ferroptosis in retinal vascular endothelial cells. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156563. [PMID: 35690207 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study was the first to explore the effect of airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure on the inner blood-retinal barrier (iBRB). In this study, retinal vascular permeability and diameter were enhanced in the PM2.5-exposed animal model (1 mg/mL PM2.5, 10 μL per eye, 4 times per day, 3 days), together with observable retinal edema and increased inflammation level in retina. PM2.5-induced cell damage in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) occurred in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Decreased cell viability, proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, as well as increased apoptosis and inflammation, were observed. Iron overload and excessive lipid oxidation were also discovered after PM2.5 exposure (25, 50, and 100 μg/mL PM2.5 for 24 h), along with significantly altered expression of ferroptosis-related genes, such as prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2, glutathione peroxidase 4, and ferritin heavy chain 1. Moreover, Ferrostatin-1, an inhibitor of ferroptosis, evidently alleviated the PM2.5-induced cytotoxicity of HRMECs. The present study investigated the in vivo effects of PM2.5 on retinas, revealing that PM2.5 exposure induced retinal inflammation, vascular dilatation, and caused damage to the iBRB. The crucial role of ferroptosis was discovered during PM2.5-induced HRMEC cytotoxicity and dysfunction, indicating a potential precautionary target in air pollution-associated retinal vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhou Gu
- Eye Center of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Shengjie Hao
- Eye Center of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Kaiyuan Liu
- State Key Lab of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Mengqin Gao
- State Key Lab of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Bing Lu
- Eye Center of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Feiyin Sheng
- Eye Center of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Eye Center of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yili Xu
- Eye Center of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Di Wu
- Eye Center of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yu Han
- Eye Center of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Shuying Chen
- Eye Center of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Eye Center of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiaoming Lou
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Peng Li
- State Key Lab of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Zhijian Chen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Ke Yao
- Eye Center of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Qiuli Fu
- Eye Center of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Mu J, Zeng D, Zeng H. Effects of nitrogen dioxide exposure on the risk of eye and adnexa diseases among children in Shenzhen, China: an assessment using the generalized additive modeling approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2022; 32:840-849. [PMID: 32746628 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2020.1801603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the relationship between nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure and the risk of eye and adnexa diseases (EADs) among children in Shenzhen, China. Information about the daily number of outpatients with EADs and the concentration of air pollutants and meteorological data were collected. A generalized additive model was used to assess the effect of NO2 exposure on the risk of EADs during outpatient visits. An increase in NO2 level by 10 μg/m3 was related to an increase in the daily number of outpatients by 5.43% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.25%, 8.70%) at lag0, by 4.35% (95% CI: 1.15%, 7.66%) at lag1, and by 3.21% (95% CI: 0.05%, 6.47%) at lag3. In addition, the relationship between NO2 exposure and the risk of dacryoadenitis was the strongest, with an estimated value of 15.0% (95% CI: 7.99%, 22.5%) at lag0. Moreover, the association between NO2 exposure and the risk of EADs among children in Shenzhen was confirmed in this study. Therefore, the government should introduce stringent environmental policies to control air pollution and protect human health, particularly that of the vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingfeng Mu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dan Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hongwu Zeng
- Department of medical imaging, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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Witters K, Dockx Y, Op't Roodt J, Lefebvre W, Vanpoucke C, Plusquin M, Vangronsveld J, Janssen BG, Nawrot TS. Dynamics of skin microvascular blood flow in 4-6-year-old children in association with pre- and postnatal black carbon and particulate air pollution exposure. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 157:106799. [PMID: 34358916 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing body of evidence indicates that cardiovascular health in adulthood, particularly that of the microcirculation, could find its roots during prenatal development. In this study, we investigated the association between pre- and postnatal air pollution exposure on heat-induced skin hyperemia as a dynamic marker of the microvasculature. METHODS In 139 children between the ages of 4 and 6 who are followed longitudinally within the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort, we measured skin perfusion by Laser Doppler probes using the Periflux6000. Residential black carbon (BC), particulate (PM10 and PM2.5) air pollution, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels were modelled for each participant's home address using a high-resolution spatiotemporal model for multiple time windows. We assessed the association between skin hyperemia and pre- and postnatal air pollution using multiple regression models while adjusting for relevant covariates. RESULTS Residential BC exposure during the whole pregnancy averaged (IQR) 1.42 (1.22-1.58) µg/m3, PM10 18.88 (16.64 - 21.13) µg/m3, PM2.5 13.67 (11.5 - 15.56) µg/m3 and NO2 18.39 (15.52 - 20.31) µg/m3. An IQR increment in BC exposure during the third trimester of pregnancy was associated with an 11.5 % (95% CI: -20.1 to -1.9; p = 0.020) lower skin hyperemia. Similar effect estimates were retrieved for PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 (respectively 13.9 % [95% CI: -21.9 to -3.0; p = 0.003], 17.0 % [95% CI: -26.7 to -6.1; p = 0.004] and 12.7% [95 % CI: -22.2 to -1.9; p = 0.023] lower skin hyperemia). In multipollutant models, PM2.5 showed the strongest inverse association with skin hyperemia. Postnatal exposure to BC, PM10, PM2.5 or NO2, was not associated with skin hyperemia at the age of 4 to 6, and did not alter the previous reported prenatal associations when taken into account. CONCLUSION Our findings support that BC, particulate air pollution, and NO2 exposure, even at low concentrations, during prenatal life, can have long-lasting consequences for the microvasculature. This proposes a role of prenatal air pollution exposures over and beyond postnatal exposure in the microvascular alterations which were persistent into childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrien Witters
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
| | - Yinthe Dockx
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
| | - Jos Op't Roodt
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
| | - Wouter Lefebvre
- Health unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | | | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
| | - Jaco Vangronsveld
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
| | - Bram G Janssen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven University, Herestraat 49-box706, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
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The Protective Effect of Topical Spermidine on Dry Eye Disease with Retinal Damage Induced by Diesel Particulate Matter2.5. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13091439. [PMID: 34575516 PMCID: PMC8468149 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13091439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Air pollutants, especially ambient fine particulate matter2.5, may contribute to various ocular surface disorders, including dry eye disease, keratitis and conjunctivitis. A natural polyamine spermidine has a protective effect on the retina and optic nerve; however, no study has been conducted on the application of spermidine in particulate matter2.5-induced dry eye disease. In the present study, we investigated the effect of spermidine eye drops in topically exposed particulate matter2.5-induced dry eye models of Sprague-Dawley rats, by hematological, biochemical and histological evaluation. Spermidine eye drops attenuated the particulate matter2.5 exposure-induced reduction of tear secretion and corneal epithelial damage. Furthermore, spermidine protected against conjunctival goblet cell loss and retinal ganglion cell loss induced by particulate matter2.5. Additionally, spermidine markedly prevented particulate matter2.5-induced infiltration of cluster of differentiation3+ and cluster of differentiation4+ T lymphocytes and F4/80+ macrophages on lacrimal gland. Moreover, over expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and interleukin-17 in the lacrimal gland and cornea. Meanwhile, the levels of serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were markedly increased by topical exposure to particulate matter2.5, but this change in the lipid profile was decreased by spermidine. Taken together, spermidine may have protective effects against particulate matter2.5-induced dry eye symptoms via stabilization of the tear film and suppression of inflammation and may in part contribute to improving retinal function and lipid metabolism disorder.
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Shan A, Chen X, Yang X, Yao B, Liang F, Yang Z, Liu F, Chen S, Yan X, Huang J, Bo S, Tang NJ, Gu D, Yan H. Association between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter and diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients: A national cross-sectional study in China. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 154:106568. [PMID: 33878615 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While the relationship between ambient air pollution and diabetes mellitus has recently been reported, data on the association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and diabetic complications are limited, especially in microvascular diseases such as diabetic retinopathy. OBJECTIVES To investigate the associations between long-term exposure to PM2.5 and the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in adult diabetic patients in rural China. METHODS The study population was based on the Rural Epidemiology for Glaucoma in China (REG-China), a national cross-sectional survey conducted in rural China. This analysis selected diabetic patients with or without diabetic retinopathy. A satellite-based spatiotemporal model was used to estimate personal PM2.5 exposure. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the effect of long-term PM2.5 exposure on diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS The analysis included 3111 diabetic participants, 329 of whom were diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy. The median level of exposure to PM2.5 from 2000 to2016 was 59.9 μg/m3. For each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, the adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for diabetic retinopathy was 1.41 (1.27, 1.57). In subgroup analyses, the effect of PM2.5 on diabetic retinopathy was significantly stronger in participants who self-reported alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that long-term exposure to high PM2.5 was associated with the risk of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients in rural China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Shan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environment, Nutrition, and Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environment, Nutrition, and Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xueli Yang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environment, Nutrition, and Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Baoqun Yao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Fengchao Liang
- School of Public Health and Emergency Management, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ze Yang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environment, Nutrition, and Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Fangchao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100037, China; Department of Epidemiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Song Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Xiaochang Yan
- National School of Development, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jianfeng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100037, China; Department of Epidemiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Shaoye Bo
- China Foundation for Disabled Persons, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006, China
| | - Nai-Jun Tang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environment, Nutrition, and Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Dongfeng Gu
- School of Public Health and Emergency Management, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China; Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100037, China; Department of Epidemiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Hua Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China.
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10
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Korsiak J, Perepeluk KL, Peterson NG, Kulka R, Weichenthal S. Air pollution and retinal vessel diameter and blood pressure in school-aged children in a region impacted by residential biomass burning. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12790. [PMID: 34140605 PMCID: PMC8211781 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92269-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the early-life cardiovascular health impacts of fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) and oxidant gases. A repeated-measures panel study was used to evaluate associations between outdoor PM2.5 and the combined oxidant capacity of O3 and NO2 (using a redox-weighted average, Ox) and retinal vessel diameter and blood pressure in children living in a region impacted by residential biomass burning. A median of 6 retinal vessel and blood pressure measurements were collected from 64 children (ages 4-12 years), for a total of 344 retinal measurements and 432 blood pressure measurements. Linear mixed-effect models were used to estimate associations between PM2.5 or Ox (same-day, 3-day, 7-day, and 21-day means) and retinal vessel diameter and blood pressure. Interactions between PM2.5 and Ox were also examined. Ox was inversely associated with retinal arteriolar diameter; the strongest association was observed for 7-day mean exposures, where each 10 ppb increase in Ox was associated with a 2.63 μm (95% CI - 4.63, - 0.63) decrease in arteriolar diameter. Moreover, Ox modified associations between PM2.5 and arteriolar diameter, with weak inverse associations observed between PM2.5 and arteriolar diameter only at higher concentrations of Ox. Our results suggest that outdoor air pollution impacts the retinal microvasculature of children and interactions between PM2.5 and Ox may play an important role in determining the magnitude and direction of these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill Korsiak
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, 1100 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC, H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Kay-Lynne Perepeluk
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, 1100 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC, H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Nicholas G Peterson
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, 1100 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC, H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Ryan Kulka
- Air Health Science Division, Health Canada, 269 Laurier Ave West, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Scott Weichenthal
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, 1100 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC, H3A 1A3, Canada.
- Air Health Science Division, Health Canada, 269 Laurier Ave West, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9, Canada.
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11
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Dąbrowiecki P, Adamkiewicz Ł, Mucha D, Czechowski PO, Soliński M, Chciałowski A, Badyda A. Impact of Air Pollution on Lung Function among Preadolescent Children in Two Cities in Poland. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10112375. [PMID: 34071258 PMCID: PMC8198305 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10112375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ambient air pollution impairs lung development in children, particularly in industrialized areas. The air quality in Zabrze, a city located in the Upper Silesian Industrial Region of Poland, is among the worst in Europe. We compared lung function and the frequency of respiratory or allergic symptoms between children living in Zabrze and those living in Gdynia, a city on the Baltic coast, which has the best long-term air quality in Poland. We enrolled children aged 9–15 years from both cities who were able to perform a spirometry. The following spirometry variables were measured for all participants: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume during the first second of expiration (FEV1), FEV1/FVC index, and peak expiratory flow (PEF). The frequencies of respiratory or allergic symptoms were taken from a survey completed by the participants’ parents. In total, 258 children from Gdynia and 512 children from Zabrze were examined. The mean values of FVC, FEV1, and PEF were significantly greater among children in Gdynia than those reported in Zabrze (p ≤ 0.032), and the frequencies of seasonal rhinorrhea (p = 0.015) or coughing episodes (p = 0.022) were significantly higher in Zabrze than in Gdynia. In conclusion, lung function was significantly impaired in children living in Zabrze, an area which is associated with poor air quality. Strategies to improve air quality in the Silesia region are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Dąbrowiecki
- Department of Allergology and Infectious Diseases, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland;
- Polish Federation of Asthma, Allergy and COPD Patients Associations, 01-604 Warsaw, Poland;
- Correspondence:
| | - Łukasz Adamkiewicz
- Cracow Smog Alert, 31-104 Krakow, Poland; (Ł.A.); (D.M.)
- European Clean Air Center, 31-104 Krakow, Poland
| | - Dominika Mucha
- Cracow Smog Alert, 31-104 Krakow, Poland; (Ł.A.); (D.M.)
- Faculty of Building Services, Hydro- and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-653 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Oskar Czechowski
- Department of Quantitative Methods and Environmental Management, Faculty of Management and Quality Science, Gdynia Maritime University, 83 Morska Street, 81-225 Gdynia, Poland;
| | - Mateusz Soliński
- Faculty of Physics, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Andrzej Chciałowski
- Department of Allergology and Infectious Diseases, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Artur Badyda
- Polish Federation of Asthma, Allergy and COPD Patients Associations, 01-604 Warsaw, Poland;
- Faculty of Building Services, Hydro- and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-653 Warsaw, Poland
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12
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Osborne S, Uche O, Mitsakou C, Exley K, Dimitroulopoulou S. Air quality around schools: Part I - A comprehensive literature review across high-income countries. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 196:110817. [PMID: 33524334 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Children are particularly vulnerable to the detrimental health impacts of poor air quality. In the UK, recent initiatives at local council level have focussed on mitigating children's air pollution exposure at school. However, an overview of the available evidence on concentration and exposure in school environments - and a summary of key knowledge gaps - has so far been lacking. To address this, we conducted a review bringing together recent academic and grey literature, relating to air quality in outdoor school environments - including playgrounds, drop-off zones, and the school commute - across high-income countries. We aimed to critically assess, synthesise, and categorise the available literature, to produce recommendations on future research and mitigating actions. Our searches initially identified 883 articles of interest, which were filtered down in screening and appraisal to a final total of 100 for inclusion. Many of the included studies focussed on nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter (PM) in both the coarse and fine fractions, around schools across a range of countries. Some studies also observed ozone (O3) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) outside schools. Our review identified evidence that children can encounter pollution peaks on the school journey, at school gates, and in school playgrounds; that nearby traffic is a key determinant of concentrations outside schools; and that factors relating to planning and urban design - such as the type of playground paving, and amount of surrounding green space - can influence school site concentrations. The review also outlines evidence gaps that can be targeted in future research. These include the need for more personal monitoring studies that distinguish between the exposure that takes place indoors and outdoors at school, and a need for a greater number of studies that conduct before-after evaluation of local interventions designed to mitigate children's exposure, such as green barriers and road closures. Finally, our review also proposes some tangible recommendations for policymakers and local leaders. The creation of clean air zones around schools; greening of school grounds; careful selection of new school sites; promotion of active travel to and from school; avoidance of major roads on the school commute; and scheduling of outdoor learning and play away from peak traffic hours, are all advocated by the evidence collated in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Osborne
- Air Quality & Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, UK
| | - Onyekachi Uche
- Air Quality & Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, UK
| | - Christina Mitsakou
- Air Quality & Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, UK
| | - Karen Exley
- Air Quality & Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, UK
| | - Sani Dimitroulopoulou
- Air Quality & Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, UK.
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13
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Bao N, Lu Y, Huang K, Gao X, Gui SY, Hu CY, Jiang ZX. Association between short-term exposure to ambient nitrogen dioxide and the risk of conjunctivitis in Hefei, China: A time-series analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 195:110807. [PMID: 33515578 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conjunctivitis, one of the most common ocular surface diseases, can be caused by many contributors. However, the important role of air pollution has been inadequately evaluated, particularly in countries with poor air quality. This study aims to explore the possible association of short-term ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure with the risk of outpatient visits for conjunctivitis. METHODS A total of 43,462 conjunctivitis patients from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018 were identified from the Department of Ophthalmology of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China. Such data were linked to the daily mean concentration of NO2 at ten fixed air quality monitoring stations. A distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) combined with a quasi-Poisson generalized linear regression model was employed to assess the association between NO2 exposure and the risk of outpatient visits for conjunctivitis. Stratified analyses were also performed on the basis of gender, age group and season. RESULTS The association of NO2 exposure with the risk of outpatient visits for conjunctivitis was statistically significant. In the single-day lags (lag 0 to lag 11) analysis, the largest effect estimates were observed at lag 0. In the moving average exposure lags (lag 0-1 to lag 0-11) analysis, the cumulative effects were stronger than the single-day lag effects. The stratified analyses suggested that the effect of NO2 exposure was more pronounced in females and patients aged 19-65 years and in the cold season. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the evidence that short-term NO2 exposure is associated with an increased risk of conjunctivitis outpatient visits. Our research encourages individuals to avoid outdoor activities on severe air pollution days and the government is obliged to adopt more stringent environmental policies to alleviate the effects of air pollution on human health, particularly for individuals at risk of developing conjunctivitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Bao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Yao Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Kai Huang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Si-Yu Gui
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Cheng-Yang Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China; Department of Humanistic Medicine, School of Humanistic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Zheng-Xuan Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, 230601, China.
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14
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Urban Aerosol Particulate Matter Promotes Necrosis and Autophagy via Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Cellular Disorders that are Accompanied by Cell Cycle Arrest in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10020149. [PMID: 33498524 PMCID: PMC7909535 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10020149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban particulate matter (UPM) is recognized as a grave public health problem worldwide. Although a few studies have linked UPM to ocular surface diseases, few studies have reported on retinal dysfunction. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of UPM on the retina and identify the main mechanism of UPM toxicity. In this study, we found that UPM significantly induced cytotoxicity with morphological changes in ARPE-19 human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and increased necrosis and autophagy but not apoptosis. Furthermore, UPM significantly increased G2/M arrest and simultaneously induced alterations in cell cycle regulators. In addition, DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction were remarkably enhanced by UPM. However, the pretreatment with the potent reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) effectively suppressed UPM-mediated cytotoxicity, necrosis, autophagy, and cell cycle arrest. Moreover, NAC markedly restored UPM-induced DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. Meanwhile, UPM increased the expression of mitophagy-regulated proteins, but NAC had no effect on mitophagy. Taken together, although further studies are needed to identify the role of mitophagy in UPM-induced RPE injury, the present study provides the first evidence that ROS-mediated cellular damage through necrosis and autophagy is one of the mechanisms of UPM-induced retinal disorders.
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15
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Hautekiet P, Nawrot TS, Demarest S, Van der Heyden J, Van Overmeire I, De Clercq EM, Saenen ND. Environmental exposures and health behavior in association with mental health: a study design. Arch Public Health 2020; 78:105. [PMID: 33093954 PMCID: PMC7576706 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-020-00477-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Air pollution, green space and smoking are known to affect human health. However, less is known about their underlying biological mechanisms. One of these mechanisms could be biological aging. In this study, we explore the mediation of biomarkers of exposure and biological aging to explain the associations between environmental exposures, health behavior and mental health. METHODS The study population of this cross-sectional study (n = 1168) is a subsample of the Belgian 2018 Health Interview Survey (BHIS). Mental health indicators including psychological and severe psychological distress, life satisfaction, vitality, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, subjective health and depressive and anxiety disorders, demographics and health behavior such as smoking are derived from the BHIS. Urine and blood samples are collected to measure respectively the biomarkers of exposure (urinary black carbon (BC) and (hydroxy)cotinine) and the biomarkers of biological aging (mitochondrial DNA content (mtDNAc) and telomere length (TL)). Recent and chronic exposure (μg/m3) to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) and ≤ 10 μm (PM10) and BC at the participants' residence are modelled using a high resolution spatial temporal interpolation model. Residential green space is defined in buffers of different size (50 m - 5000 m) using land cover data in ArcGIS 10 software. For the statistical analysis multivariate linear and logistic regressions as well as mediation analyses are used taking into account a priori selected covariates and confounders. RESULTS As this study combined data of BHIS and laboratory analyses, not all data is available for all participants. Therefore, data analyses will be conducted on different subsets. Data on air pollution and green space exposure is available for all BHIS participants. Questions on smoking and mental health were answered by respectively 7829 and 7213 BHIS participants. For biomarker assessment, (hydroxy) cotinine, urinary BC and the biomarkers of biological aging are measured for respectively 1130, 1120 and 985 participants. CONCLUSION By use of personal markers of air pollution and smoking, as well as biological aging, we will gain knowledge about the association between environmental exposures, health behavior, and the mental health status. The results of the study can provide insights on the health of the Belgian population, making it a nationwide interesting study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Hautekiet
- Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan gebouw D, BE-3590 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Tim S. Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan gebouw D, BE-3590 Hasselt, Belgium
- Centre for Environment and Health, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | - Nelly D. Saenen
- Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan gebouw D, BE-3590 Hasselt, Belgium
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16
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Luyten LJ, Dockx Y, Provost EB, Madhloum N, Sleurs H, Neven KY, Janssen BG, Bové H, Debacq-Chainiaux F, Gerrits N, Lefebvre W, Plusquin M, Vanpoucke C, De Boever P, Nawrot TS. Children's microvascular traits and ambient air pollution exposure during pregnancy and early childhood: prospective evidence to elucidate the developmental origin of particle-induced disease. BMC Med 2020; 18:128. [PMID: 32450864 PMCID: PMC7249678 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-020-01586-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Particulate matter exposure during in utero life may entail adverse health outcomes later in life. The microvasculature undergoes extensive, organ-specific prenatal maturation. A growing body of evidence shows that cardiovascular disease in adulthood is rooted in a dysfunctional fetal and perinatal development, in particular that of the microcirculation. We investigate whether prenatal or postnatal exposure to PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter ≤ 2.5 μm) or NO2 is related to microvascular traits in children between the age of four and six. METHODS We measured the retinal microvascular diameters, the central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE), and the vessel curvature by means of the tortuosity index (TI) in young children (mean [SD] age 4.6 [0.4] years), followed longitudinally within the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort. We modeled daily prenatal and postnatal PM2.5 and NO2 exposure levels for each participant's home address using a high-resolution spatiotemporal model. RESULTS An interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5 exposure during the entire pregnancy was associated with a 3.85-μm (95% CI, 0.10 to 7.60; p = 0.04) widening of the CRVE and a 2.87-μm (95% CI, 0.12 to 5.62; p = 0.04) widening of the CRAE. For prenatal NO2 exposure, an IQR increase was found to widen the CRVE with 4.03 μm (95% CI, 0.44 to 7.63; p = 0.03) and the CRAE with 2.92 μm (95% CI, 0.29 to 5.56; p = 0.03). Furthermore, a higher TI score was associated with higher prenatal NO2 exposure. We observed a postnatal effect of short-term PM2.5 exposure on the CRAE and a childhood NO2 exposure effect on both the CRVE and CRAE. CONCLUSIONS Our results link prenatal and postnatal air pollution exposure with changes in a child's microvascular traits as a fundamental novel mechanism to explain the developmental origin of cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leen J Luyten
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.,Unité de Recherche en Biologie Cellulaire (URBC) - Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (Narilis), Namur University, Namur, Belgium
| | - Yinthe Dockx
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Eline B Provost
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.,Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Narjes Madhloum
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Hanne Sleurs
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Kristof Y Neven
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Bram G Janssen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Hannelore Bové
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Florence Debacq-Chainiaux
- Unité de Recherche en Biologie Cellulaire (URBC) - Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (Narilis), Namur University, Namur, Belgium
| | - Nele Gerrits
- Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Wouter Lefebvre
- Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | | | - Patrick De Boever
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.,Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium. .,Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium.
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17
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Koch S, Zelembaba A, Tran R, Laeremans M, Hives B, Carlsten C, De Boever P, Koehle MS. Vascular effects of physical activity are not modified by short-term inhaled diesel exhaust: Results of a controlled human exposure study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 183:109270. [PMID: 32311911 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The combined effects of physical activity and air pollution exposure on vascular function are insufficiently understood, particularly after the inhalation of a β2-agonist, a vasodilating agent. OBJECTIVE To assess the micro- and macrovascular response to physical activity after β2-agonist use while breathing diesel exhaust (DE) in individuals with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. METHODS On four exposure visits, eighteen adults inhaled either 400 μg of the β2-agonist salbutamol or placebo before resting for 60 min, followed by a 30-min cycling bout. During rest and cycling, participants inhaled filtered air (FA) or DE (300 μg/m3 of PM2.5). Microvascular (central retinal arteriolar and venular equivalents, CRAE and CRVE, respectively) and macrovascular parameters (blood pressure (BP)) and heart rate (HR)) were assessed at baseline (T1), 10 min (T2) and 70 min (T3) after cycling. RESULTS The cycling bout increased CRAE (T2-T1 difference (95th % confidence interval): 4.88 μm (4.73, 5.00 μm), p < 0.001; T3-T1 difference: 2.10 μm (1.62, 2.58 μm), p = 0.031) and CRVE (T2-T1 difference: 3.78 μm (3.63, 3.92 μm), p < 0.001; T3-T1 difference: 3.73 μm (3.63, 3.92 μm), p < 0.001). The exposure to DE had no effect on CRAE (FA-DE difference at T2: 0.46 μm (-0.02, 0.92 μm); p = 0.790; FA-DE difference at T3: 1.76 μm (1.36, 2.16 μm), p = 0.213) and CRVE (FA-DE difference at T2: 0.26 μm (-0.35, 0.88 μm), p = 0.906; FA-DE difference at T3: 0.55 μm (0.05, 1.06 μm), p = 0.750). Compared to T1, systolic BP was decreased at T2 by 2.5 mmHg (2.8, 2.3 mmHg, p = 0.047), independent of inhaled exposure. Heart rate at T2 was significantly increased by 3 bpm (2, 3 bpm, p = 0.025) after the DE-exposure when compared to FA. DISCUSSION Acute physical activity induces a vasodilatory response in the micro- and macrovasculature in healthy adults by increasing CRAE and CRVE, and by reducing systolic BP post exercise, despite breathing DE. The DE-associated increase in HR might be indicative of an increased sympathetic response to physical activity while breathing DE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Koch
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 6081 University Boulevard, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z1, Canada.
| | - Ana Zelembaba
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 6081 University Boulevard, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Raymond Tran
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 6081 University Boulevard, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Michelle Laeremans
- Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Antwerp, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Sciences, Agoralaan building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Benjamin Hives
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 6081 University Boulevard, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Christopher Carlsten
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Patrick De Boever
- Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Antwerp, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Sciences, Agoralaan building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Michael Stephen Koehle
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 6081 University Boulevard, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z1, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
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18
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Yi J, Duling MG, Bowers LN, Knepp AK, LeBouf RF, Nurkiewicz TR, Ranpara A, Luxton T, Martin SB, Burns DA, Peloquin DM, Baumann EJ, Virji MA, Stefaniak AB. Particle and organic vapor emissions from children's 3-D pen and 3-D printer toys. Inhal Toxicol 2019; 31:432-445. [PMID: 31874579 PMCID: PMC6995422 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2019.1705441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Fused filament fabrication "3-dimensional (3-D)" printing has expanded beyond the workplace to 3-D printers and pens for use by children as toys to create objects.Materials and methods: Emissions from two brands of toy 3-D pens and one brand of toy 3-D printer were characterized in a 0.6 m3 chamber (particle number, size, elemental composition; concentrations of individual and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC)). The effects of print parameters on these emission metrics were evaluated using mixed-effects models. Emissions data were used to model particle lung deposition and TVOC exposure potential.Results: Geometric mean particle yields (106-1010 particles/g printed) and sizes (30-300 nm) and TVOC yields (
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghai Yi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, and the Center for Inhalation Toxicology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, 26506
| | - Matthew G. Duling
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505
| | - Lauren N. Bowers
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505
| | - Alycia K. Knepp
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505
| | - Ryan F. LeBouf
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505
| | - Timothy R. Nurkiewicz
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, and the Center for Inhalation Toxicology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, 26506
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505
| | - Anand Ranpara
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505
| | - Todd Luxton
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH, 45224
| | - Stephen B. Martin
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505
| | - Dru A. Burns
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505
| | | | | | - M. Abbas Virji
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, 26505
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19
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Holgate ST. Air pollution: The time has arrived for the medical profession to take ownership of the problem and act. Respirology 2019; 24:1138-1139. [DOI: 10.1111/resp.13690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen T. Holgate
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Southampton Southampton UK
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20
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Madhloum N, Nawrot TS, Gyselaers W, Roels HA, Bijnens E, Vanpoucke C, Lefebvre W, Janssen BG, Cox B. Neonatal blood pressure in association with prenatal air pollution exposure, traffic, and land use indicators: An ENVIRONAGE birth cohort study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 130:104853. [PMID: 31226559 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.05.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Elevated blood pressure (BP) in early life may lead to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in later life. Air pollution exposure has been associated with increased BP in adults and children, but the contribution of prenatal air pollution exposure has rarely been assessed. In addition, we are not aware of any study on neonatal BP and maternal residential traffic and land use indicators during pregnancy. We investigated the association between newborn BP and prenatal air pollution, traffic and land use indicators, using data from 427 term (gestational age > 36 weeks) births from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort. Newborn BP was measured using an automated device within 4 days after birth. Daily maternal residential air pollutants during pregnancy, including particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and ≤10 μm (PM10), black carbon (BC), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), were modelled using a high-resolution spatial-temporal model. The association between newborn BP and air pollution during the last 15 weeks of pregnancy was assessed using distributed lag models. Each 5 μg/m3 increment in prenatal PM2.5 exposure was associated with a 2.4 mm Hg (95% CI, 0.5 to 4.2) higher systolic and a 1.8 mm Hg (95% CI, 0.2 to 3.5) higher diastolic BP at birth. Overall estimates for PM10 were similar but those for NO2 and BC did not reach significance. Associations between newborn BP and exposures during the last 4 to 5 weeks of pregnancy were significant for all pollutants. An IQR (20.3%) increment in percentage residential greenness in a 5 km radius was associated with a 1.2 mm Hg (95% CI, -2.5 to 0.1; p = 0.07) lower systolic and a 1.2 mm Hg (95% CI, -2.4 to -0.0; p = 0.05) lower diastolic BP. An IQR (4.1%) increment in percentage industrial area in a 5 km radius was associated with a 1.0 mm Hg (95% CI, 0.1 to 1.9; p = 0.03) higher diastolic BP. Residential traffic indicators did not significantly associate with newborn BP. Prenatal air pollution exposure, greenness, and industrial area at maternal residence may affect offspring BP from birth onwards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narjes Madhloum
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Wilfried Gyselaers
- Department of Obstetrics, East-Limburg Hospital, Genk, Belgium; Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Harry A Roels
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Louvain Centre for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Esmée Bijnens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | | | - Wouter Lefebvre
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Bram G Janssen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Bianca Cox
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
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21
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Is a Land Use Regression Model Capable of Predicting the Cleanest Route to School? ENVIRONMENTS 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/environments6080090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Land Use Regression (LUR) modeling is a widely used technique to model the spatial variability of air pollutants in epidemiology. In this study, we explore whether a LUR model can predict home-to-school commuting exposure to black carbon (BC). During January and February 2019, 43 children walking to school were involved in a personal monitoring campaign measuring exposure to BC and tracking their home-to-school routes. At the same time, a previously developed LUR model for the study area was applied to estimate BC exposure on points along the route. Personal BC exposure varied widely with mean ± SD of 9003 ± 4864 ng/m3. The comparison between the two methods showed good agreement (Pearson’s r = 0.74, Lin’s Concordance Correlation Coefficient = 0.6), suggesting that LUR estimates are capable of catching differences among routes and predicting the cleanest route. However, the model tends to underestimate absolute concentrations by 29% on average. A LUR model can be useful in predicting personal exposure and can help urban planners in Milan to build a healthier city for schoolchildren by promoting less polluted home-to-school routes.
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22
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Saenen ND, Provost EB, Cuypers A, Kicinski M, Pieters N, Plusquin M, Vrijens K, De Boever P, Nawrot TS. Child's buccal cell mitochondrial DNA content modifies the association between heart rate variability and recent air pollution exposure at school. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 123:39-49. [PMID: 30496980 PMCID: PMC6329889 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies investigating short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and heart rate variability (HRV) suggest that particulate matter (PM) exposure is associated with reductions in measures of HRV. Mitochondria are sensitive to PM exposure and may represent a biologically relevant underlying mechanism. However, evidence in children is lacking. OBJECTIVES Here we examine whether PM has an influence on children's HRV and evaluate whether mitochondrial DNA content (mtDNAc) reflects individual susceptibility. METHODS Within a panel study in primary school children (aged 9-12 years), we measured HRV in a subset of 60 children on three different days during school-time using four indicators: normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), square root of mean squared difference of normal-to-normal intervals (rMSSD), high frequency (HF), and low frequency (LF). This resulted in a total number of 150 visits (median number of visits per child: 2.5/child). MtDNAc was measured using qPCR in buccal cells. We measured recent PM exposure at the school. Residential 24-hour mean exposure to PM was modelled with a high resolution spatial temporal model. Mixed-effects models were used to estimate the association between HRV and recent PM exposure and potential effect-modification by mtDNAc. RESULTS Children were on average [SD] 9.9 [1.2] years and comprised 39 girls. Median [25th-75th] recent outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 exposure at school was 6.20 [2.8-12.8] μg/m3 and 29.3 [24.7-42.0] μg/m3, respectively. In children with low mtDNAc (25th percentile), we observed for each 10 μg/m3 increment in recent PM2.5 exposure a lowering in the LF parameter with 9.76% (95% CI: -16.9 to -1.99%, p = 0.02; pint = 0.007). Children with high mtDNAc did not show this association. For PM10 exposure, we observed an inverse association with three HRV indicators in children with low mtDNAc: -2.24% (95% CI: -4.27 to -0.16%; p = 0.04; pint = 0.02) for SDNN, -5.67% (95% CI: -10.5 to -0.59%; p = 0.03; pint = 0.04) for HF and -6.64% (95% CI: -10.7 to -2.38%; p = 0.003; pint = 0.005) for LF. CONCLUSIONS HRV is inversely associated with recent PM air pollution, especially in children with low mtDNAc. Our data revealed that mtDNAc determines susceptibility to adverse autonomic effects of recent PM exposure in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelly D Saenen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Eline B Provost
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Unit Environmental Risk & Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Ann Cuypers
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Michal Kicinski
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Nicky Pieters
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Karen Vrijens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Patrick De Boever
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Unit Environmental Risk & Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Leuven, Belgium.
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23
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Vriens A, Provost EB, Saenen ND, De Boever P, Vrijens K, De Wever O, Plusquin M, Nawrot TS. Children's screen time alters the expression of saliva extracellular miR-222 and miR-146a. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8209. [PMID: 29844486 PMCID: PMC5974392 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26351-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An imbalance between energy uptake and energy expenditure is the most important reason for increasing trends in obesity starting from early in life. Extracellular miRNAs are expressed in all bodily fluids and their expression is influenced by a broad range of stimuli. We examined whether screen time, physical activity and BMI are associated with children’s salivary extracellular miR-222 and miR-146a expression. In 80 children the extracellular fraction of saliva was obtained by means of differential centrifugation and ultracentrifugation. Expression levels of miR-222 and miR-146a were profiled by qPCR. We studied the association between children’s salivary extracellular miRNA expression and screen time, physical activity and BMI using mixed models, while accounting for potential confounders. We found that higher screen time was positively associated with salivary extracellular miR-222 and miR-146a levels. On average, one hour more screen time use per week was associated with a 3.44% higher miR-222 (95% CI: 1.34 to 5.58; p = 0.002) and 1.84% higher miR-146a (95% CI: −0.04 to 3.75; p = 0.055) level in saliva. BMI and physical activity of the child were not significantly associated with either miR-222 or miR-146a. A sedentary behaviour, represented by screen time use in children, is associated with discernible changes in salivary expression of miR-146a and or miR-222. These miRNA targets may emerge attractive candidates to explore the role of these exposures in developmental processes of children’s health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Vriens
- Centre for environmental sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Eline B Provost
- Centre for environmental sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.,Environmental risk and health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Mol, Belgium
| | - Nelly D Saenen
- Centre for environmental sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Patrick De Boever
- Environmental risk and health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Mol, Belgium
| | - Karen Vrijens
- Centre for environmental sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Oliver De Wever
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Radiation Oncology and Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for environmental sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for environmental sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium. .,Department of public health and primary care, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium.
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