The relationship of polluted air and drinking water sources with the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus: a provincial population-based study

Abstract

Environmental exposures interact with genetic factors has been thought to influence susceptibility of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) development. To evaluate the effects of environmental exposures on SLE, we conducted a population-based cohort study across Jiangsu Province, China, to examine the associations between the living environment including air and water pollution, population density, economic income level, etc. and the prevalence and mortality of hospitalized SLE (h-SLE) patients. A total of 2231 h-SLE patients were retrieved from a longitudinal SLE database collected by the Jiangsu Lupus Collaborative Group from 1999 to 2009. The results showed that: It existed regional differences on the prevalence of h-SLE patients in 96 administrative districts; The distribution of NO2 air concentration monitored by atmospheric remote sensors showed that three of the ultra-high-prevalence districts were located in the concentrated chemical industry emission area; h-SLE patient prevalence was positively correlated with the excessive levels of nitrogen in drinking water; The positive ratio of pericarditis and proteinuria was positively correlated with the prevalence of h-SLE patients and pollution not only induced a high h-SLE patient prevalence but also a higher mortality rate, which might be attributed to NOx pollution in the air and drinking water. In summary, our data suggested that NOx in air and drinking water may be one of the important predispositions of SLE, especially for patients with renal involvement.

Systemic lupus erythematosus: latest insight into etiopathogenesis

“…These toxic components bring about damage to biomolecules such as proteins and DNA resulting in genetic aberrations causing gene activation which may be involved in SLE development via an imbalance of antioxidant mechanism and oxidative stress. In a population-based cohort study, it has been demonstrated that nitrogen oxides (NOX) in polluted air and drinking water may lead to significant predilections of SLE, especially for patients with renal involvement [ 98 ]. Contrary to the conventional notion, alcohol consumption has been shown to relieve the inflammatory milieu in SLE, diminishing the response to immunogens and decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines [ 99 ].…”

The role of m6A RNA methylation in autoimmune diseases: Novel therapeutic opportunities

“…Studies have indicated an involvement of epigenetic modifications, including RNA methylation, in the pathogenesis of SLE. 118 , 119 A study in SLE patients showed elevated m 6 A levels in CD4 + T cells from the peripheral blood of SLE patients. 119 Luo et al explored the mRNA expression of m 6 A “writers”, “erasers”, and “readers” in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from SLE patients, and found that the mRNA expressions of METTL14, ALKBH5, and YTHDF2 in SLE patients were significantly lower than those in healthy controls.…”

Analysis of status and influencing factors of mental health in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

“…The high heterogeneity of clinical presentation and autoantibody profiles in SLE pose challenges in clinical decision making. The onset and progression of SLE is generally attributed to genetic factors, environmental exposure, and gene-environment interactions that trigger the collapse of adaptive and innate immunity[ 4 , 5 ]. While SLE is highly prevalent in young women, it can affect patients of any sex or age[ 6 ].…”