Respiratory damage in children exposed to urban pollution.
Southwest Metropolitan Mexico City (SWMMC) children are chronically exposed to complex mixtures of air pollutants. In a cross-sectional arm of our study, we investigated the association between exposure to SWMMC atmosphere and nasal abnormalities, hyperinflation, and interstitial markings assessed by chest X-rays, lung function changes, several serum cytokines, and endothelin-1 in 174 children aged 5-17 years vs. 27 control children residents in low-polluted areas. Control children had no nasal lesions, and only one child showed an abnormal chest X-ray. SWMMC children exhibited nasal abnormalities (22%), hyperinflation (67%), interstitial markings (49%), and a mild restrictive pattern by spirometry (10%). Interstitial markings were associated with a decrease in predicted values of FEF(25-75), FEF(75), and the FEV(1)/FVC ratio. Boys had a higher probability of developing interstitial markings with age (P = 0.004). Blood smear findings included toxic granulations in neutrophils and schistocytes. SWMMC children had more serum IL10 and IL6 and less IL8 than controls. In a longitudinal arm of our study, we found a significant seasonal drop in FVC and FEV(1) associated with a 6-month period of high ozone and PM(10) levels. Our data strongly suggest that a lifelong exposure to urban air pollution causes respiratory damage in children. Moreover, a cytokine network becomes imbalanced, with a shift towards upregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Consequently, these children are potentially at risk for developing chronic lung disease and other systemic effects later in life.
Calderón-Garcidueñas
Lilian
L
Environmental Pathology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. liliancalderon888@hotmail.com
Mora-Tiscareño
Antonieta
A
Fordham
Lynn A
LA
Valencia-Salazar
Gildardo
G
Chung
Charles J
CJ
Rodriguez-Alcaraz
Antonio
A
Paredes
Rogelio
R
Variakojis
Daina
D
Villarreal-Calderón
Anna
A
Flores-Camacho
Lourdes
L
Antunez-Solis
Angelina
A
Henríquez-Roldán
Carlos
C
Hazucha
Milan J
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000473:pathology; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood; D004913:Erythrocytes, Abnormal / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000002:abnormalities; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000473:pathology; D010126:Ozone / Q000032:analysis; D011859:Radiography; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D014505:Urban Population
D000393:Air Pollutants; D019332:Endothelin-1; D007378:Interleukins; D010126:Ozone