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Nitrogen Dioxide Pollutant Exposure and Exercise-induced Bronchoconstriction in Urban Childhood Asthma: A Pilot Study. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2022; 19:139-142. [PMID: 34214020 PMCID: PMC8787788 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202103-254rl] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
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Henriquez AR, Snow SJ, Schladweiler MC, Miller CN, Kodavanti UP. Independent roles of beta-adrenergic and glucocorticoid receptors in systemic and pulmonary effects of ozone. Inhal Toxicol 2020; 32:155-169. [PMID: 32366144 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2020.1759736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Background: The release of catecholamines is preceded by glucocorticoids during a stress response. We have shown that ozone-induced pulmonary responses are mediated through the activation of stress hormone receptors.Objective: To examine the interdependence of beta-adrenergic (βAR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs), we inhibited βAR while inducing GR or inhibited GR while inducing βAR and examined ozone-induced stress response.Methods: Twelve-week-old male Wistar-Kyoto rats were pretreated daily with saline or propranolol (PROP; βAR-antagonist; 10 mg/kg-i.p.; starting 7-d prior to exposure) followed-by saline or dexamethasone (DEX) sulfate (GR-agonist; 0.02 mg/kg-i.p.; starting 1-d prior to exposure) and exposed to air or 0.8 ppm ozone (4 h/d × 2-d). In a second experiment, rats were similarly pretreated with corn-oil or mifepristone (MIFE; GR-antagonist, 30 mg/kg-s.c.) followed by saline or clenbuterol (CLEN; β2AR-agonist; 0.02 mg/kg-i.p.) and exposed.Results: DEX and PROP + DEX decreased adrenal, spleen and thymus weights in all rats. DEX and MIFE decreased and increased corticosterone, respectively. Ozone-induced pulmonary protein leakage, inflammation and IL-6 increases were inhibited by PROP or PROP + DEX and exacerbated by CLEN or CLEN + MIFE. DEX and ozone-induced while MIFE reversed lymphopenia (MIFE > CLEN + MIFE). DEX exacerbated while PROP, MIFE, or CLEN + MIFE inhibited ozone-induced hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance. Ozone inhibited glucose-mediated insulin release.Conclusions: In summary, 1) activating βAR, even with GR inhibition, exacerbated and inhibiting βAR, even with GR activation, attenuated ozone-induced pulmonary effects; and 2) activating GR exacerbated ozone systemic effects, but with βAR inhibition, this exacerbation was less remarkable. These data suggest the independent roles of βAR in pulmonary and dependent roles of βAR and GR in systemic effects of ozone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres R Henriquez
- Department of Energy, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Samantha J Snow
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Mette C Schladweiler
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Colette N Miller
- Department of Energy, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Urmila P Kodavanti
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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Kodavanti UP. Susceptibility Variations in Air Pollution Health Effects: Incorporating Neuroendocrine Activation. Toxicol Pathol 2019; 47:962-975. [PMID: 31594484 PMCID: PMC9353182 DOI: 10.1177/0192623319878402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Diverse host factors/phenotypes may exacerbate or diminish biological responses induced by air pollutant exposure. We lack an understanding of biological indicators of environmental exposures that culminate in a physiological response versus those that lead to adversity. Variations in response phenotype might arise centrally and/or at the local tissue level. In addition to genetic differences, the current evidence supports the roles of preexisting cardiopulmonary diseases, diabetes, diet, adverse prenatal environments, neurobehavioral disorders, childhood infections, microbiome, sex, and psychosocial stressors in modifying the susceptibility to air pollutant exposures. Animal models of human diseases, obesity, nutritional inadequacies, and neurobehavioral conditions have been compared with healthy controls to understand the causes of variations in susceptibility. Although psychosocial stressors have been associated with increased susceptibility to air pollutant effects, the contribution of neuroendocrine stress pathways in mediating these effects is just emerging. The new findings of neuroendocrine activation leading to systemic metabolic and immunological effects of air pollutants, and the potential contribution to allostatic load, emphasize the consideration of these mechanisms into susceptibility. Variations in susceptibility to air pollution health effects are likely to underlie host genetic and physiological conditions in concert with disrupted neuroendocrine circuitry that alters physiological stability under the influence of stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urmila P Kodavanti
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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Henriquez AR, Snow SJ, Schladweiler MC, Miller CN, Dye JA, Ledbetter AD, Hargrove MM, Richards JE, Kodavanti UP. Exacerbation of ozone-induced pulmonary and systemic effects by β 2-adrenergic and/or glucocorticoid receptor agonist/s. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17925. [PMID: 31784596 PMCID: PMC6884479 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54269-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Agonists of β2 adrenergic receptors (β2AR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) are prescribed to treat pulmonary diseases. Since ozone effects are mediated through the activation of AR and GR, we hypothesized that the treatment of rats with relevant therapeutic doses of long acting β2AR agonist (LABA; clenbuterol; CLEN) and/or GR agonist (dexamethasone; DEX) would exacerbate ozone-induced pulmonary and systemic changes. In the first study, male 12-week-old Wistar-Kyoto rats were injected intraperitoneally with vehicle (saline), CLEN (0.004 or 0.02 mg/kg), or DEX (0.02 or 0.1 mg/kg). Since dual therapy is commonly used, in the second study, rats received either saline or combined CLEN + DEX (each at 0.005 or 0.02 mg/kg) one day prior to and on both days of exposure (air or 0.8ppm ozone, 4 hr/day x 2-days). In air-exposed rats CLEN, DEX or CLEN + DEX did not induce lung injury or inflammation, however DEX and CLEN + DEX decreased circulating lymphocytes, spleen and thymus weights, increased free fatty acids (FFA) and produced hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance. Ozone exposure of vehicle-treated rats increased bronchoalveolar lavage fluid protein, albumin, neutrophils, IL-6 and TNF-α. Ozone decreased circulating lymphocytes, increased FFA, and induced hypeerglycemia and glucose intolerance. Drug treatment did not reverse ozone-induced ventillatory changes, however, lung effects (protein and albumin leakage, inflammation, and IL-6 increase) were exacerbated by CLEN and CLEN + DEX pre-treatment in a dose-dependent manner (CLEN > CLEN + DEX). Systemic effects induced by DEX and CLEN + DEX but not CLEN in air-exposed rats were analogous to and more pronounced than those induced by ozone. These data suggest that adverse air pollution effects might be exacerbated in people receiving LABA or LABA plus glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres R Henriquez
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States of America
| | | | - Mette C Schladweiler
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Colette N Miller
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Janice A Dye
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Allen D Ledbetter
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Marie M Hargrove
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Judy E Richards
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Urmila P Kodavanti
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America.
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Henriquez AR, Snow SJ, Schladweiler MC, Miller CN, Dye JA, Ledbetter AD, Richards JE, Hargrove MM, Williams WC, Kodavanti UP. Beta-2 Adrenergic and Glucocorticoid Receptor Agonists Modulate Ozone-Induced Pulmonary Protein Leakage and Inflammation in Healthy and Adrenalectomized Rats. Toxicol Sci 2019; 166:288-305. [PMID: 30379318 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We have shown that acute ozone inhalation activates sympathetic-adrenal-medullary and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal stress axes, and adrenalectomy (AD) inhibits ozone-induced lung injury and inflammation. Therefore, we hypothesized that stress hormone receptor agonists (β2 adrenergic-β2AR and glucocorticoid-GR) will restore the ozone injury phenotype in AD, while exacerbating effects in sham-surgery (SH) rats. Male Wistar Kyoto rats that underwent SH or AD were treated with vehicles (saline + corn oil) or β2AR agonist clenbuterol (CLEN, 0.2 mg/kg, i.p.) + GR agonist dexamethasone (DEX, 2 mg/kg, s.c.) for 1 day and immediately prior to each day of exposure to filtered air or ozone (0.8 ppm, 4 h/day for 1 or 2 days). Ozone-induced increases in PenH and peak-expiratory flow were exacerbated in CLEN+DEX-treated SH and AD rats. CLEN+DEX affected breath waveform in all rats. Ozone exposure in vehicle-treated SH rats increased bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) protein, N-acetyl glucosaminidase activity (macrophage activation), neutrophils, and lung cytokine expression while reducing circulating lymphocyte subpopulations. AD reduced these ozone effects in vehicle-treated rats. At the doses used herein, CLEN+DEX treatment reversed the protection offered by AD and exacerbated most ozone-induced lung effects while diminishing circulating lymphocytes. CLEN+DEX in air-exposed SH rats also induced marked protein leakage and reduced circulating lymphocytes but did not increase BALF neutrophils. In conclusion, circulating stress hormones and their receptors mediate ozone-induced vascular leakage and inflammatory cell trafficking to the lung. Those receiving β2AR and GR agonists for chronic pulmonary diseases, or with increased circulating stress hormones due to psychosocial stresses, might have altered sensitivity to air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres R Henriquez
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Samantha J Snow
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Mette C Schladweiler
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Colette N Miller
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Janice A Dye
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Allen D Ledbetter
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Judy E Richards
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Marie M Hargrove
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
| | - Wanda C Williams
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Urmila P Kodavanti
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
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Lee EY, Oh SS, White MJ, Eng CS, Elhawary JR, Borrell LN, Nuckton TJ, Zeiger AM, Keys KL, Mak ACY, Hu D, Huntsman S, Contreras MG, Samedy LA, Goddard PC, Salazar SL, Brigino-Buenaventura EN, Davis A, Meade KE, LeNoir MA, Lurmann FW, Burchard EG, Eisen EA, Balmes JR. Ambient air pollution, asthma drug response, and telomere length in African American youth. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2019; 144:839-845.e10. [PMID: 31247265 PMCID: PMC6938647 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2019.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomere length (TL) can serve as a potential biomarker for conditions associated with chronic oxidative stress and inflammation, such as asthma. Air pollution can induce oxidative stress. Understanding the relationship between TL, asthma, and air pollution is important for identifying risk factors contributing to unhealthy aging in children. OBJECTIVES We sought to investigate associations between exposures to ambient air pollutants and TL in African American children and adolescents and to examine whether African ancestry, asthma status, and steroid medication use alter the association. METHODS Linear regression was used to examine associations between absolute telomere length (aTL) and estimated annual average residential ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) exposures in a cross-sectional analysis of 1072 children in an existing asthma case-control study. African ancestry, asthma status, and use of steroid medications were examined as effect modifiers. RESULTS Participants' aTLs were measured by using quantitative PCR. A 1-ppb and 1 μg/m3 increase in annual average exposure to O3 and PM2.5 were associated with a decrease in aTL of 37.1 kilo-base pair (kb; 95% CI, -66.7 to -7.4 kb) and 57.1 kb (95% CI, -118.1 to 3.9 kb), respectively. African ancestry and asthma were not effect modifiers; however, exposure to steroid medications modified the relationships between TL and pollutants. Past-year exposure to O3 and PM2.5 was associated with shorter TLs in patients without steroid use. CONCLUSION Exposure to air pollution was associated with shorter TLs in nonasthmatic children and adolescents. This was not the case for asthmatic children as a group, but those receiving steroid medication had less shortening than those not using steroids. Reduced exposure to air pollution in childhood might help to preserve TL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunice Y Lee
- Department of Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, Calif; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Calif.
| | - Sam S Oh
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Calif
| | - Marquitta J White
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Calif
| | - Celeste S Eng
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Calif
| | | | - Luisa N Borrell
- Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY
| | - Thomas J Nuckton
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Calif
| | - Andrew M Zeiger
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Calif
| | - Kevin L Keys
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Calif
| | - Angel C Y Mak
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Calif
| | - Donglei Hu
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Calif
| | - Scott Huntsman
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Calif
| | - Maria G Contreras
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Calif; San Francisco State University, San Francisco, Calif
| | - Lesly-Anne Samedy
- Department of Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, Calif
| | - Pagé C Goddard
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Calif
| | - Sandra L Salazar
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Calif
| | | | - Adam Davis
- Children's Hospital and Research Center, Oakland, Calif
| | | | | | | | - Esteban G Burchard
- Department of Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, Calif; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Calif.
| | - Ellen A Eisen
- Environmental Health Sciences Division, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Calif.
| | - John R Balmes
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Calif; Environmental Health Sciences Division, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Calif.
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Majewska R, Pac A, Mróz E, Spengler J, Camann D, Mrozek-Budzyn D, Sowa A, Jacek R, Wheelock K, Perera FP. Lung function growth trajectories in non-asthmatic children aged 4-9 in relation to prenatal exposure to airborne particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - Krakow birth cohort study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 166:150-157. [PMID: 29886391 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patterns of lung function development during childhood can be helpful in understanding the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases. A variety of environmental and lifestyle factors, present from the prenatal period to adulthood, may affect or modulate lung function growth. The aim of this study was to investigate, the associations between individual growth trajectories of children's lung function during childhood and prenatal exposure to airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which were hypothesized to adversely affect spirometry parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study group comprised 294 non-asthmatic, full term children from the Krakow birth cohort, who underwent annual spirometry testing at the ages of 4-9 years. Individual personal air monitoring of PM2.5 and PAH were performed over 48 h in the second trimester of pregnancy. Possible confounders or modifiers such as child's gender, height, atopic status and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) were considered. Polynomial multilevel mixed models were used to assess the growth rates of children's lung functions. RESULTS Lung function trajectories differed significantly for boys and girls for FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75. Girls had lower rates of increase than boys: - 20.5 (95%CI: - 32.4; - 8.6) ml/year (FVC); - 19.9 (95%CI: -30.7;-9.0) ml/year (FEV1); and - 32.5 (95%CI: - 56.9; - 8.2) ml/year (FEF25-75). Spirometry functions increased with age; however the growth rate decelerated over time. Significant lung function impairment (lower FVC and FEV1 levels) was observed from 4 to 9 years among subjects prenatally exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 as well as PAH, but not in the case of FEF25-75. No significant differences were observed in the rates of increase over time in relation to prenatal PM2.5 and PAH exposure. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that in non-asthmatic children high prenatal exposure to airborne PM2.5 and PAH is associated with lower trajectories of FVC and FEV1, but not the rate of increase over time, suggesting that the initial effect is not diminishing in time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Majewska
- Department of Epidemiology, Chair of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 7a, 31-034 Krakow, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Pac
- Department of Epidemiology, Chair of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 7a, 31-034 Krakow, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Mróz
- Department of Epidemiology, Chair of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 7a, 31-034 Krakow, Poland
| | - John Spengler
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, P.O. Box 15677, Landmark 406 West, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - David Camann
- Department of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry, Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78228, USA
| | - Dorota Mrozek-Budzyn
- Department of Epidemiology, Chair of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 7a, 31-034 Krakow, Poland
| | - Agata Sowa
- Department of Epidemiology, Chair of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 7a, 31-034 Krakow, Poland
| | - Ryszard Jacek
- Department of Epidemiology, Chair of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 7a, 31-034 Krakow, Poland
| | - Kylie Wheelock
- Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health, Mailman School Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168 St., New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Frederica P Perera
- Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health, Mailman School Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168 St., New York, NY 10032, USA
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Rider CF, Carlsten C. Air pollution and resistance to inhaled glucocorticoids: Evidence, mechanisms and gaps to fill. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 194:1-21. [PMID: 30138638 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Substantial evidence indicates that cigarette smoke exposure induces resistance to glucocorticoids, the primary maintenance medication in asthma treatment. Modest evidence also suggests that air pollution may reduce the effectiveness of these critical medications. Cigarette smoke, which has clear parallels with air pollution, has been shown to induce glucocorticoid resistance in asthma and it has been speculated that air pollution may have similar effects. However, the literature on an association of air pollution with glucocorticoid resistance is modest to date. In this review, we detail the evidence for, and against, the effects of air pollution on glucocorticoid effectiveness, focusing on results from epidemiology and controlled human exposure studies. Epidemiological studies indicate a correlation between increased air pollution exposure and worse asthma symptoms. But these studies also show a mix of beneficial and harmful effects of glucocorticoids on spirometry and asthma symptoms, perhaps due to confounding influences, or the induction of glucocorticoid resistance. We describe mechanisms that may contribute to reductions in glucocorticoid responsiveness following air pollution exposure, including changes to phosphorylation or oxidation of the glucocorticoid receptor, repression by cytokines, or inflammatory pathways, and epigenetic effects. Possible interactions between air pollution and respiratory infections are also briefly discussed. Finally, we detail a number of therapies that may boost glucocorticoid effectiveness or reverse resistance in the presence of air pollution, and comment on the beneficial effects of engineering controls, such as air filtration and asthma action plans. We also call attention to the benefits of improved clean air policy on asthma. This review highlights numerous gaps in our knowledge of the interactions between air pollution and glucocorticoids to encourage further research in this area with a view to reducing the harm caused to those with airways disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher F Rider
- Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chan-Yeung Centre for Occupational and Environmental Respiratory Disease (COERD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Chris Carlsten
- Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chan-Yeung Centre for Occupational and Environmental Respiratory Disease (COERD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Institute for Heart and Lung Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Mirowsky J, Gordon T. Noninvasive effects measurements for air pollution human studies: methods, analysis, and implications. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2015; 25:354-80. [PMID: 25605444 PMCID: PMC6659729 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2014.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Revised: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 11/05/2014] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Human exposure studies, compared with cell and animal models, are heavily relied upon to study the associations between health effects in humans and air pollutant inhalation. Human studies vary in exposure methodology, with some work conducted in controlled settings, whereas other studies are conducted in ambient environments. Human studies can also vary in the health metrics explored, as there exists a myriad of health effect end points commonly measured. In this review, we compiled mini reviews of the most commonly used noninvasive health effect end points that are suitable for panel studies of air pollution, broken into cardiovascular end points, respiratory end points, and biomarkers of effect from biological specimens. Pertinent information regarding each health end point and the suggested methods for mobile collection in the field are assessed. In addition, the clinical implications for each health end point are summarized, along with the factors identified that can modify each measurement. Finally, the important research findings regarding each health end point and air pollutant exposures were reviewed. It appeared that most of the adverse health effects end points explored were found to positively correlate with pollutant levels, although differences in study design, pollutants measured, and study population were found to influence the magnitude of these effects. Thus, this review is intended to act as a guide for researchers interested in conducting human exposure studies of air pollutants while in the field, although there can be a wider application for using these end points in many epidemiological study designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Mirowsky
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, Tuxedo, New York, USA
| | - Terry Gordon
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, Tuxedo, New York, USA
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Modig L, Dahgam S, Olsson D, Nyberg F, Wass K, Forsberg B, Olin AC. Short-term exposure to ozone and levels of exhaled nitric oxide. Epidemiology 2014; 25:79-87. [PMID: 24213146 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000000002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse effects of air pollution include respiratory inflammation. A few epidemiologic studies have shown elevations in the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide, a marker of airway inflammation, after exposure to traffic-related pollutants. METHODS We examined whether short-term exposures to ozone (O3), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), or particulate matter <10 μm (PM10) were associated with proximal and distal airway inflammation. The study included 5841 randomly selected Swedish adults from 25 to 75 years of age. Fraction of exhaled nitrogen was measured at two flow rates: 50 ml/s representing the proximal airways and 270 ml/s representing the distal airways. Air pollution data were obtained from an urban monitoring site. We applied linear regression to estimate short-term associations of O3, NOx, and PM10 with fractions of exhaled NO at 50 and 270 ml/s. RESULTS An interquartile range increase in 120-hour average O3 levels was associated with a 5.1% (95% confidence interval = 1.7% to 8.5%) higher level of fraction of exhaled NO at 270 ml/s and 3.6% (-0.4% to 3.4%) higher level of the fraction of exhaled NO at 50 ml/s. For NOx, a small effect was seen for the 24-hour average on the fraction of exhaled NO at 270 ml/s, while for PM10 no clear effects were seen. There was a tendency for a weaker effect of ozone and a stronger effect of NOx in subjects with asthma. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to O3 was associated with a marker of distal airway inflammation, while the association was less obvious for inflammation of the proximal airways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Modig
- From the aOccupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, University of Umeå, Umeå, Sweden; bOccupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; and cAstraZeneca R&D, Mölndal, Sweden
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Seo S, Choung JT, Chen BT, Lindsley WG, Kim KY. The level of submicron fungal fragments in homes with asthmatic children. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2014; 131:71-6. [PMID: 24657943 PMCID: PMC4665101 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2013] [Revised: 11/28/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Much scientific evidence indicates a positive association between moldy environments and respiratory illnesses and/or symptoms (e.g., asthma). Recently, submicron fungal fragments (<1.0 μm) have been suggested as a potential contributor to adverse health effects due to their biological composition (e.g., antigens, mycotoxins, and (1,3)-β-D-glucan) as well as their small size. However, the contribution of exposure to fine fungal particles on adverse health outcomes has been poorly characterized, particularly in homes with asthmatic children. We characterized the airborne level of smaller-sized fungal particles between homes with and without asthmatic children. METHODS We visited 29 homes with (n=15) and without (n=14) an asthmatic child and sampled submicron fungal fragments in a living room and child׳s bedroom, along with outdoor sampling, using the NIOSH two-stage sampler. (1,3)-β-D-glucan of fungal fragments analyzed by Limulus Amebocyte lysate assay (LAL) was used for quantifying their exposure. RESULTS Overall, the geometric mean (GM) concentration of (1,3)-β-D-glucan in submicron fungal fragments in indoor air was two-fold higher in homes with asthmatic children (50.9 pg/m(3)) compared to homes with non-asthmatic children (26.7 pg/m(3)) (P<0.001). The GM concentration of these particles in child׳s bedroom in homes with an asthmatic child (66.1 pg/m(3)) was about three times higher than that in homes with non-asthmatic children (23.0 pg/m(3)) (P<0.001). The relative humidity had a negative correlation with the concentration of (1,3)-β-D-glucan in submicron fungal fragments (Pearson coefficient=-0.257, P=0.046). CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that homes with asthmatic children have a higher concentration of submicron fungal fragments compared to homes with non-asthmatic children. A greater exposure to smaller-sized fungal particles may occur in homes with an asthmatic child as relative humidity decreases. The very careful control of relative humidity in indoor air is necessary for reducing exposure to fine fungal particles and inhibiting the growth of microorganisms in homes with allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- SungChul Seo
- The Environmental Health Center for Asthma, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Tae Choung
- The Environmental Health Center for Asthma, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bean T Chen
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - William G Lindsley
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ki Youn Kim
- Department of Industrial Health, Catholic University of Pusan, Busan, Republic of Korea.
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12
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Altuğ H, Gaga EO, Döğeroğlu T, Brunekreef B, Hoek G, Van Doorn W. Effects of ambient air pollution on respiratory tract complaints and airway inflammation in primary school children. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 479-480:201-9. [PMID: 24561926 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.01.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Revised: 01/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory health effects of ambient air pollution were studied in 605 school children 9 to 13 years in Eskişehir, Turkey. Each child performed a fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) measurement and a lung function test (LFT). Self-reported respiratory tract complaints (having cold, complaints of throat, runny nose and shortness of breath/wheezing) in the last 7 days and on the day of testing were also recorded. As acute health outcomes were investigated, weekly average ambient concentrations of ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) were determined by passive sampling in the school playgrounds simultaneously with the health survey. Effects of air pollution on respiratory tract complaints and exhaled NO/lung function were estimated by multivariate logistic regression and multivariate linear mixed effects models, respectively. Upper respiratory tract complaints were significantly (p<0.05) associated with weekly average O3 concentrations during the health survey (adjusted odds ratios (OR) of 1.21 and 1.28 for a 10 μgm(-3) increment for having cold and a runny nose on day of testing, respectively). FENO levels were significantly (p<0.05) increased in children with various upper respiratory tract complaints (ratio in FENO varied between 1.16 and 1.40). No significant change in FENO levels was detected in association with any of the measured pollutants (p ≥ 0.05). Lung function was not associated with upper respiratory tract complaints and FENO levels. Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) levels were negatively associated with weekly average O3 levels for children without upper respiratory tract complaints. In summary, elevated levels of air pollutants increased respiratory tract complaints in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hicran Altuğ
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Anadolu University, İki Eylül Campus, 26555 Eskişehir, Turkey.
| | - Eftade O Gaga
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Anadolu University, İki Eylül Campus, 26555 Eskişehir, Turkey.
| | - Tuncay Döğeroğlu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Anadolu University, İki Eylül Campus, 26555 Eskişehir, Turkey.
| | - Bert Brunekreef
- IRAS Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
| | - Gerard Hoek
- IRAS Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
| | - Wim Van Doorn
- Royal Haskoning, Business line Industry and Energy, P.O. Box 151, 6500 AD Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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13
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Newcomb P, Hunt A, Rast P, Cauble D, Rowe N, Li J. Acute effects of walking environment and GSTM1 variants in children with asthma. Biol Res Nurs 2010; 14:55-64. [PMID: 21196426 DOI: 10.1177/1099800410389167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exercise in air polluted by traffic emissions may aggravate airway inflammation in children with asthma, particularly those who produce decreased glutathione-S transferase (GST) as a result of GSTM1 gene deletion. OBJECTIVES This pilot crossover study investigated whether children with asthma experience more airway changes when exercising outdoors near roadways than when exercising indoors. It also examined differences in risk between children with and without GSTM1 deletion. METHOD Children between the ages of 5 and 12 years were assigned to groups and walked daily for 1 week in each exercise condition. Airway inflammation indicated by exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and pulmonary functions measured as forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and mid-expiratory flow rate were measured at baseline and at three intervals during the walking program. Independent variables of interest included walking condition (place), time of walking, genotype, and particulate matter (PM) exposure. RESULTS A linear mixed models approach was used to investigate the contributions of targeted variables to respiratory outcomes. Results indicated that walking location and ambient level of ultrafine particulates during walking influenced function of small airways. Absence of one or both alleles for the GSTM1 gene did not influence airway function acutely. DISCUSSION Mid-expiratory flow (FEF(25-75)) may be more informative than FEV1 in studies of acute lung function changes in children with asthma. Further study of the effects of varied environmental conditions on lower airway function of children is needed to optimize exercise experiences for urban children with asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Newcomb
- College of Nursing, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA.
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