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Food chemoprevention and air pollution: the health comes with eating.
Visalli, G, Facciolà, A, Laganà, P, Di Pietro, A
Reviews on environmental health. 2020;(4):471-479
Abstract
Ambient air pollution is known to be an important causative agent of many non-communicable diseases, mainly due to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). According to Global Burden Disease study in 2015, the estimated premature deaths caused by PM2.5 were 4.2 million. Besides deaths, airborne pollution's effect on human health also has dramatic economic and social costs, contributing greatly to disability-adjusted life-year (DALY). To reduce the health impact is necessary a double approach, which includes the improvement of air quality and food chemoprevention, aimed at enhancing the homeostatic abilities of exposed subjects. The scavenging, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of nutraceuticals effectively counteract the pathogenic mechanisms common in almost all non-communicable diseases associated with air pollutants. Moreover, several bioactive compounds of food modulate, by epigenetic mechanisms, the metabolism of xenobiotics, favouring conjugation reactions and promoting excretion. This narrative review summarize the numerous pieces of evidence collected in the last decades by observational and experimental studies which underline the chemopreventive role of flavonoids, contained in several fruits and consumer beverages (wine, tea, etc.), and isothiocyanate sulforaphane, contained in the cruciferous vegetables belonging to the genus Brassica. These bioactive compounds, enhancing the individual homeostatic abilities, reduce the harmful effects of airborne pollution.
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2.
Effects of ambient particulate matter on fasting blood glucose: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Ma, R, Zhang, Y, Sun, Z, Xu, D, Li, T
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987). 2020;:113589
Abstract
Studies have found that ambient particulate matter (PM) affects fasting blood glucose. However, the results are not consistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the relationship between PM with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm or less (PM10) and PM with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) and fasting blood glucose. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, the Wanfang Database and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure up to April 1, 2019. A total of 24 papers were included in the review, and 17 studies with complete or convertible quantitative information were included in the meta-analysis. The studies were divided into groups by PM size fractions (PM10 and PM2.5) and length of exposure. Long-term exposures were based on annual average concentrations, and short-term exposures were those lasting less than 28 days. In the long-term exposure group, fasting blood glucose increased 0.10 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.02, 0.17) per 10 μg/m3 of increased PM10 and 0.23 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.01, 0.45) per 10 μg/m3 of increased PM2.5. In the short-term exposure group, fasting blood glucose increased 0.02 mmol/L (95% CI: -0.01, 0.04) per 10 μg/m3 of increased PM10 and 0.08 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.04, 0.11) per 10 μg/m3 of increased PM2.5. Further prospective studies are needed to explore the relationship between ambient PM exposure and fasting blood glucose.
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3.
Air Pollution Neurotoxicity in the Adult Brain: Emerging Concepts from Experimental Findings.
Haghani, A, Morgan, TE, Forman, HJ, Finch, CE
Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD. 2020;(3):773-797
Abstract
Epidemiological studies are associating elevated exposure to air pollution with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. In effect, air pollution accelerates many aging conditions that promote cognitive declines of aging. The underlying mechanisms and scale of effects remain largely unknown due to its chemical and physical complexity. Moreover, individual responses to air pollution are shaped by an intricate interface of pollutant mixture with the biological features of the exposed individual such as age, sex, genetic background, underlying diseases, and nutrition, but also other environmental factors including exposure to cigarette smoke. Resolving this complex manifold requires more detailed environmental and lifestyle data on diverse populations, and a systematic experimental approach. Our review aims to summarize the modest existing literature on experimental studies on air pollution neurotoxicity for adult rodents and identify key gaps and emerging challenges as we go forward. It is timely for experimental biologists to critically understand prior findings and develop innovative approaches to this urgent global problem. We hope to increase recognition of the importance of air pollution on brain aging by our colleagues in the neurosciences and in biomedical gerontology, and to support the immediate translation of the findings into public health guidelines for the regulation of remedial environmental factors that accelerate aging processes.
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4.
The impact of air pollution to obesity.
Simkova, S, Veleminsky, M, Sram, RJ
Neuro endocrinology letters. 2020;(3):146-153
Abstract
BACKGROUD Air pollution in ambient air could affect the increase of obesity in children. METHOD Review analyze papers about the effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), fine particles (particulate matter < 2.5 μm, PM2.5), and traffic air pollution (NO2, NOx, PM2.5). RESULTS Prenatal exposure to concentrations 1.73-3.07 ng/m3 PAHs significantly increased obesity at age 5 and 7 years, up to 11 years. All studies indicate the significance of prenatal exposure with concentration > 0.3 ng/m3 of B[a]P (benzo[a]pyrene). Prenatal exposure to PM2.5 above concentrations 10.6-11.9 μg/m3 increased obesity in children up to the age of 9 years. Traffic air pollution was evaluated according to exposure to NO2 and PM2.5. Concentrations NO2 higher 30 μg/m3 affect adiponectin levels in cord blood, cholesterol metabolism, and therefore increase later the risk of overweight or obesity. PM2.5 9.2-11.6 μg/m3 during pregnancy affect adiponectin. These concentrations from the traffic air pollution can affect the metabolism in newborns later related to obesity. CONCLUSION All these studies indicate that contemporary concentrations of PAHs, PM2.5 and NO2 in ambient air, especially during prenatal period, affect overweight and obesity in children.
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5.
Short course gamma tocopherol did not mitigate effects of ozone on airway inflammation in asthmatics.
Burbank, AJ, Hernandez, ML, Robinette, C, Wang, T, Zhou, H, Alexis, N, Bennett, WD, Peden, DB
Inhalation toxicology. 2020;(7):279-281
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exposure to elevated ambient ozone levels has been associated with exacerbation of asthma, likely mediated by oxidative stress. We have shown that supplementation with the antioxidant vitamin E isoform, gamma tocopherol, mitigates the inflammatory effects of inhaled endotoxin exposure, a key component of ambient air particulate matter. OBJECTIVE The objective of the current study was to assess the efficacy of gamma tocopherol for mitigating pulmonary effects of ozone, using an abbreviated dosing regimen that could be rapidly begun when high ozone days are anticipated. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of adults with mild asthma who were pre-treated with gamma tocopherol-enriched supplement and exposed to 0.25 ppm ozone for 3 hours. Induced sputum samples were obtained before and after ozone exposure to measure airway inflammation. Mucociliary clearance was estimated using gamma scintigraphy. RESULTS With the short course of gamma tocopherol pre-treatment, we found no significant effect on ozone-induced airway inflammation. A transient slowing of clearance in the large airways was seen following ozone exposure in the placebo treatment period that was not present during gamma tocopherol treatment. DISCUSSION Short course gamma tocopherol did not protect against ozone-induced airway inflammation. Future work will focus on the efficacy of longer courses of gamma tocopherol supplementation for mitigating pollutant-induced health effects. The early transient ozone effect on airway clearance as well as the impact of gamma tocopherol on this effect will be further explored in future studies.
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A review and perspective of recent research in biological treatment applied in removal of chlorinated volatile organic compounds from waste air.
Li, T, Li, H, Li, C
Chemosphere. 2020;:126338
Abstract
Chlorinated volatile organic compounds (Cl-VOCs) waste air is a kind of typical recalcitrant organic compounds, which poses a great threat to the ecological environment and human health. At present, the biotechnology is considered as a potential strategy for the Cl-VOCs removal due to the advantages of low energy consumption and less possibility of secondary pollution. This work summarizes the recent researches on strains, bioreactors and technology integration. The dominant pure strains for biodegradation of Cl-VOCs are first outlined with a special focus on the co-metabolism of multi-components. It then summarizes two bioreactors (optimized airlift reactor (ALR) and two-phase partitioning bioreactor (TPPB)) and strategy (addition of surfactant) for improvement of biotrickling filter (BTF), which are benefit to achieve the mass transfer enhancement in the removal of hydrophobic Cl-VOCs from waste air. After that, the integration technologies, such as magnetic field (MF)-BTF, non-thermal plasma (NTP)/ultraviolet light (UV)-BTF, and microbial electrolytic cells (MEC), are elucidated, which provide opportunities for complete mineralization of Cl-VOCs in a more efficient, energy-saving and economical way. Finally, current challenges and a perspective of future research on biotechnology for Cl-VOCs removal are thoroughly discussed.
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Independent and Opposing Associations of Habitual Exercise and Chronic PM2.5 Exposures on Hypertension Incidence.
Guo, C, Zeng, Y, Chang, LY, Yu, Z, Bo, Y, Lin, C, Lau, AK, Tam, T, Lao, XQ
Circulation. 2020;(7):645-656
Abstract
BACKGROUND We investigated the joint associations of habitual physical activity (PA) and long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with the development of hypertension in a longitudinal cohort in Taiwan. METHODS We selected 140 072 adults (≥18 years of age) without hypertension who joined a standard medical screening program with 360 905 medical examinations between 2001 and 2016. PM2.5 exposure was estimated at each participant's address using a satellite data-based spatiotemporal model with 1 km2 resolution. Information on habitual PA and a wide range of covariates was collected using a standard self-administered questionnaire. We used the Cox regression model with time-dependent covariates to examine the joint associations. RESULTS The mean age of all observations was 41.7 years, and 48.8% were male. The mean value for systolic and diastolic blood pressure was 112.5 and 68.7mm Hg, respectively. Approximately 34.2% of all observations were inactive (0 metabolic equivalence values-hours), 29.8% had moderate-PA (median [interquartile range]; 3.75 [3.38 to 4.38] metabolic equivalence values-hours), and 36.0% had high-PA (15.7 [10.3 to 24.8] metabolic equivalence values-hours). The mean±SD of PM2.5 was 26.1±7.3 μg/m3. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and cancer was 2.1%, 2.9%, and 1.5%, respectively. After adjusting for a wide range of covariates (including a mutual adjustment for PA or PM2.5), a higher PA level was associated with a lower risk of hypertension (hazard ratio [HR] for the moderate- and high-PA was 0.93 [95% CI, 0.89-0.97] and 0.92 [95% CI, 0.88-0.96], respectively, as compared with the inactive-PA), whereas a higher level of PM2.5 was associated with a higher risk of hypertension (HR for the moderate- and high-PM2.5 was 1.37 [95% CI, 1.32-1.43] and 1.92 [95% CI, 1.81-2.04], respectively, as compared with the low-PM2.5 group]. No significant interaction was observed between PA and PM2.5 (HR 1.01 [95% CI, 1.00-1.02]). CONCLUSIONS A high-PA and low PM2.5 exposure were associated with a lower risk of hypertension. The negative association between PA and hypertension remained stable in people exposed to various levels of PM2.5, and the positive association between PM2.5 and hypertension was not modified by PA. Our results indicated that PA is a suitable hypertension prevention strategy for people residing in relatively polluted regions.
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The association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and fractional exhaled nitric oxide level: A systematic review and meta-analysis of panel studies.
Chen, X, Liu, F, Niu, Z, Mao, S, Tang, H, Li, N, Chen, G, Liu, S, Lu, Y, Xiang, H
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987). 2020;(Pt A):114833
Abstract
Several epidemiological studies have evaluated the fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) of ambient air pollution but the results were controversial. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the associations between short-term exposure to air pollutants and FeNO level. We searched PubMed and Web of Science and included a total of 27 articles which focused on associations between ambient air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, black carbon (BC), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3)) exposure and the change of FeNO. Random effect model was used to calculate the percent change of FeNO in association with a 10 or 1 μg/m3 increase in air pollutants exposure concentrations. A 10 μg/m3 increase in short-term PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and SO2 exposure was associated with a 3.20% (95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.11%, 5.29%), 2.25% (95%CI: 1.51%, 2.99%),4.90% (95%CI: 1.98%, 7.81%), and 8.28% (95%CI: 3.61%, 12.59%) change in FeNO, respectively. A 1 μg/m3 increase in short-term exposure to BC was associated with 3.42% (95%CI: 1.34%, 5.50%) change in FeNO. The association between short-term exposure to O3 and FeNO level was insignificant (P>0.05). Future studies are warranted to investigate the effect of multiple pollutants, different sources and composition of air pollutants on airway inflammation.
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'Smoging kills' - Effects of air pollution on human respiratory system.
Grzywa-Celińska, A, Krusiński, A, Milanowski, J
Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM. 2020;(1):1-5
Abstract
Atmospheric pollution suspended in humid air is popularly known as 'smog'. It is composed of dust particles of different sizes, as well as non-metal oxides, organic compounds, and heavy metals. Exposure to harmful substances suspended in the air - apart from, for example - smoking cigarettes, one of the modifiable factors leading to the development of respiratory diseases. There are six types of substances present in the air that have a negative impact on public health and result in significant consequences: ozone, particulate matter (PM) of different diameters - PM2.5µ, PM2.5‒10 µ, PM10 µ, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and lead. Particular attention is given to small dust particles (PM10 and PM2.5) because they can penetrate into the lower respiratory tract. Apart from describing the composition of smog and sources of air pollution, the article also discusses the impact of atmospheric pollutants on both development and aggravation of the symptoms of such respiratory tract diseases as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory infections and lung cancer. Some of legal measures applied in different countries aimed at reducing exposure to noxious air pollutants are reviewed. The authors believe that the increased focus on risks arising from inhaling toxic air pollution may be a first step for developing systemic solutions aimed at resolving or, at least, decreasing those risks.
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10.
Effects of air pollutants on the transmission and severity of respiratory viral infections.
Domingo, JL, Rovira, J
Environmental research. 2020;:109650
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Abstract
Particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the outdoor air pollutants that are major factors in diseases, causing especially adverse respiratory effects in humans. On the other hand, the role of respiratory viruses in the pathogenesis of severe respiratory infections is an issue of great importance. The present literature review was aimed at assessing the potential effects of air pollutants on the transmission and severity of respiratory viral infections. We have reviewed the scientific literature regarding the association of outdoor air pollution and respiratory viruses on respiratory diseases. Evidence supports a clear association between air concentrations of some pollutants and human respiratory viruses interacting to adversely affect the respiratory system. Given the undoubted importance and topicality of the subject, we have paid special attention to the association between air pollutants and the transmission and severity of the effects caused by the coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2, which causes the COVID-19. Although to date, and by obvious reasons, the number of studies on this issue are still scarce, most results indicate that chronic exposure to air pollutants delays/complicates recovery of patients of COVID-19 and leads to more severe and lethal forms of this disease. This deserves immediate and in-depth experimental investigations.