The relationship of air pollution and surrogate markers of endothelial dysfunction in a population-based sample of children

Abstract

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess the relationship of air pollution and plasma surrogate markers of endothelial dysfunction in the pediatric age group.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in 2009-2010 among 125 participants aged 10-18 years. They were randomly selected from different areas of Isfahan city, the second large and air-polluted city in Iran. The association of air pollutants' levels with serum thrombomodulin (TM) and tissue factor (TF) was determined after adjustment for age, gender, anthropometric measures, dietary and physical activity habits.ResultsData of 118 participants was complete and was analyzed. The mean age was 12.79 (2.35) years. The mean pollution standards index (PSI) value was at moderate level, the mean particular matter measuring up to 10 μm (PM10) was more than twice the normal level. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that TF had significant relationship with all air pollutants except than carbon monoxide, and TM had significant inverse relationship with ozone. The odds ratio of elevated TF was significantly higher in the upper vs. the lowest quartiles of PM10, ozone and PSI. The corresponding figures were in opposite direction for TM.ConclusionsThe relationship of air pollutants with endothelial dysfunction and pro-coagulant state can be an important factor in the development of atherosclerosis from early life. This finding should be confirmed in future longitudinal studies. Concerns about the harmful effects of air pollution on children's health should be considered a top priority for public health policy; it should be underscored in primordial and primary prevention of chronic diseases.

Air Pollution, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and Autonomic Nervous System Interactions Modulate Cardiac Oxidative Stress and Electrophysiological Changes

“…A cross-sectional study conducted among young participants aged 10-18 years, randomly selected from different urban areas of Isfahan city, the second largest and air-polluted city in Iran, showed a higher correlation between fine particulate matter and platelet tissue factor expression, a coagulation factor associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This finding is consistent with various experimental studies that showed exposure to PM increases platelet tissue factor expression in atherosclerotic lesions [Poursafa et al, 2011]. Despite accumulating data indicating that particulate matter exposure contributes to the progression of atherosclerosis in animal models and in humans, the strength of associations between PM and atherosclerosis in humans is still being debated, and the strength and relative importance of the mechanisms in contributing to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is still to be ascertained.…”

Air Pollution and Primordial Prevention of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases

“…The association of air pollution and inflammation/oxidative stress has been demonstrated (Huang et al, 2003;Ruckerl et al 2006;Chuang et al, 2007), even among healthy children (Kelishadi et al, 2009) who might have the early stages of atherosclerosis. Such association is also confirmed for air pollutants, notably particulate matters and surrogate markers of endothelial dysfunction and markers of vascular injury (Poursafa et al, 2011). The effects of air pollution on inflammation, coagulation, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction from early life confirm the necessity of implications of these findings in relation to public health and regulatory policies for primordial/primary prevention and control of adult chronic diseases from childhood.…”

“…In order to correctly reference this scholarly work, feel free to copy and paste the following: Parinaz Poursafa and Roya Kelishadi (2011). Air Pollution and Primordial Prevention of Chronic NonCommunicable Diseases, Air Pollution -New Developments, Prof. Anca Moldoveanu (Ed.…”

Association of air pollution and hematologic parameters in children and adolescents

“…Além dos efeitos da poluição atmosférica sobre as doenças respiratórias e imunológicas, e também sobre os estágios iniciais da aterosclerose 4,31 , sugeridos anteriormente, os achados do nosso estudo propõe uma associação entre poluentes do ar e atividade da medula óssea. Ao considerar os efeitos carcinogênicos dos poluentes atmosféricos para as crianças 32 , nossos achados podem alertar para efeitos mais preocupantes da poluição atmosférica para a saúde das crianças.…”