Metals in air pollution particles decrease whole-blood coagulation time

Abstract

The mechanism underlying procoagulative effects of air pollution particle exposure is not known. The authors tested the postulate that (1) the water-soluble components of an air pollution particle could affect whole-blood coagulation time and (2) metals included in this fraction were responsible for this effect. Exposure to the water-soluble fraction of particulate matter (PM), at doses as low as 50 ng/ml original particle, significantly diminished the whole-blood coagulation time. Inclusion of deferoxamine prolonged coagulation time following the exposures to the water-soluble fraction, whereas equivalent doses of ferroxamine had no effect. Except for nickel, all metal sulfates shortened the whole-blood coagulation time. Iron and zinc were two metals with the greatest capacity to reduce the coagulation time, with an effect observed at 10 ng/ml. Finally, in contrast to the anticoagulants citrate and EDTA, their iron complexes were found to be procoagulative. The authors conclude that metals in the water-soluble fraction of air pollution particles decrease whole-blood coagulation time. These metals can potentially contribute to procoagulative effects observed following human exposures to air pollution particles.

Blood hypomethylation of inflammatory genes mediates the effects of metal-rich airborne pollutants on blood coagulation

“…Among the metal components evaluated, we found associations with zinc levels, consistent with previous studies showing that zinc exposure activates blood coagulation 19. Our results, as also supported by mediation analysis, indicate that reduced methylation of NOS3 and EDN1 is a potential intermediate mechanism underlying the effects of PM and metals on blood coagulation.…”

“…Metals contained in PM have been linked to cardiovascular diseases in animal17 and human studies 18. It has been shown that treatment with the water-soluble fraction of PM significantly accelerated the whole blood coagulation time in vitro 19. Zinc was found to be the metal with the greatest procoagulant effect 19.…”

“…It has been shown that treatment with the water-soluble fraction of PM significantly accelerated the whole blood coagulation time in vitro 19. Zinc was found to be the metal with the greatest procoagulant effect 19. Zinc, a common constituent of ambient PM and a workplace toxin, can lead to functional changes in the lung and subsequent systemic inflammation and cardiovascular alterations in humans 20.…”

Extracellular histones mediate the effects of metal-rich air particles on blood coagulation

“…Treatment with water-soluble fraction of PM significantly accelerated whole blood coagulation time in vitro (Sangani et al, 2010). Zinc is a metal with remarkable procoagulant effect (Gilmour et al, 2006; Sangani et al, 2010; Tarantini et al, 2013).…”

“…In epidemiological studies, steel workers have been found at higher risk for cardiovascular disease (Andjelkovich et al, 1990). Several metals have been demonstrated to have procoagulant effects; iron and zinc, the two metals usually found at highest concentrations in foundry PM, have been shown to have the greatest toxicity (Arslan et al, 2010; Sangani et al, 2010). Several prothrombotic modifications have been described after exposure to iron and zinc, such as alteration of clotting factors activity, increased platelet aggregation, reduced clotting time, and higher expression of pro-coagulant genes and proteins (Gilmour et al, 2006).…”