Prolonged acute exposure to 0.16 ppm ozone induces eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthmatic subjects with allergies.
BACKGROUND
Increased ambient ozone levels have been associated with increased asthma morbidity in epidemiologic studies. Given that asthma is characterized by airway inflammation and increased sensitivity to airway irritants, it has been suggested that asthmatic subjects may be particularly sensitive to the effect of ozone.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine whether exposure to 0.16 ppm ozone induces eosinophilic inflammation in the lower airways of asthmatic subjects.


METHODS
Eight asthmatic subjects sensitive to mites were exposed to 0.16 ppm ozone and clean air on separate occasions no less than 4 weeks apart in a double-blind, randomized fashion followed by bronchoscopy 18 hours later. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and bronchial lavage fluid were examined for eosinophils.


RESULTS
Ozone induced significant increases in airway eosinophils, especially in bronchial lavage fluid.


CONCLUSIONS
Ozone exposure results in increased eosinophilic inflammation in the lower airways of asthmatic subjects with allergies.
Peden
D B
DB
Center for Environmental Medicine and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599-73210, USA.
Boehlecke
B
B
Horstman
D
D
Devlin
R
R
D001249:Asthma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D010126:Ozone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects
D010126:Ozone