Hypertension with elevated levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein and anticardiolipin antibody in the circulation of premenopausal Indian women chronically exposed to biomass smoke during cooking

Abstract

The study showing high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among poor, underprivileged women in their reproductive ages in rural India is important from public health perspectives. It may motivate the government and the regulatory agencies of the country to take a serious note of the indoor air pollution (IAP) from biomass fuel use as it threatens the health of millions of women, children, and the elderly who mostly stay indoor. We hope the findings will strengthen the demand for setting up a standard for indoor air quality in the country in the line of national ambient air quality standard. The findings may also inspire the authorities to take measures for the reduction in IAP by improving housing, kitchen ventilation, and cook stoves. Moreover, the parameters used in this study can be utilized for large, population-based studies to identify women at a higher risk of developing CVD so that medical intervention can be taken at the formative stage of a disease.

Impact of household solid fuel use on blood pressure and hypertension among adults in China

“…The possible reasons for this slight difference may be attributed to the difference of study area, sample size, and the classification of solid fuel use. Furthermore, previous studies also found that the prevalence odds of hypertension for biomass users was 1.51 (95 % CI 1.14-2.08) times higher than LPG users among rural women, which can be considered as a support evidence for our results (Dutta et al 2011;Dutta and Ray 2012). Besides, it is also observed that longer duration of solid fuel use was associated with larger elevated SBP and DBP.…”

“…In a cross-sectional study in Putuo, an urban city of Shanghai in China, household solid fuel use was linked to higher prevalence odds of hypertension and the potential risk of hypertension increased with the duration of in-home solid fuel use (Lee et al 2012). Dutta et al (2011) and Dutta and Ray (2012) also found that the prevalence of hypertension was higher in biomass user than liquid petroleum gas (LPG) users in rural India.…”

Chronic exposure to biomass fuel is associated with increased carotid artery intima-media thickness and a higher prevalence of atherosclerotic plaque

“…Principally, the mechanisms involve increases in oxidative stress, lung-mediated inflammation and stimulation of the autonomic nervous system 40. Despite a paucity of controlled studies in the field of biomass fuel smoke exposure in humans, recent studies have demonstrated that exposure is associated with increased airway inflammation,16 serum amyloid A,15 inflammatory cytokines, circulating neutrophils,17 oxidised LDL particles and reactive oxygen species,11 all of which are associated with the development of atherosclerosis. Intriguingly, however, the biomass fuel group in our study actually demonstrated less inflammation (lower hsCRP) than those in the clean fuel group.…”

Neutrophilic Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress in Premenopausal Women Chronically Exposed to Indoor Air Pollution from Biomass Burning

“…Our earlier studies have linked IAP from BMF with upregulation of ribosome biogenesis [36,37], inappropriate response of DNA damage repair proteins in the face of increased DNA damage [38,39], overactivation of signal transduction pathway involving Akt, i.e., protein kinase B [40], and hypertension with elevated levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein indicating cardiovascular disease [41]. These findings along with observations from other studies led us to hypothesize that chronic exposure to IAP from biomass burning could be associated with neutrophilic inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in premenopausal women of rural India who cook regularly with BMF.…”