Immunologic and other biological parameters as a function of smoking status and of residence in areas differing in terms of air pollution.
In the industrial region of La Louvière (Belgium), healthy persons, presenting at a consultation of preventive medicine, showed differences as a function of smoking and of residence in one of four areas differing in sources of emissions, population density and green zones. Smokers had significantly (P</=0.05) more leukocytes microl(-1), neutrophils microl(-1), CD3+ lymphocytes (lys) microl(-1), CD4+ lys microl(-1), CD25+ lys microl(-1), higher CD4/CD8 ratio's and higher carcino-embryonic antigen serum levels but significantly lower IgG immunoglobulin and serum carotene levels than non-smokers. Compared to persons living in the 'Peripheral area', and after correction for sex, smoking status and age, persons living in the more polluted areas showed significantly more CD3+CD56+ lys microl(-1). Although about the same mean value for the CD4/CD8 ratio was found for the more polluted areas, a higher percentage of their residents showed a ratio that was either <1 or >/=2.25, significantly so for the Power Station-Landfill area. A non-significant but consistent trend towards higher lymphocyte and CD8 lys counts and higher complement C3c serum levels further suggested an association between residence in a more polluted area and immunologic features. The number of CD3+CD56+ lys microl(-1), reported to be increased in cancer patients, showed a negative correlation with the CD4/CD8 ratio (r(2)=0.132, P<0.0001).
Department of Radiotherapy, Nuclear Medicine and Experiemental Cancerology, Ghent University, Belgium. nicolas.vanlarebeke@rug.ac.be
Nik
N
van Larebeke
Bernard
B
Husson
Wim
W
De Coen
Eric
E
Pluygers
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001530:Belgium; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D014505:Urban Population
D000393:Air Pollutants; D015415:Biomarkers; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen