title: Effects of ambient air pollution on hemostasis and inflammation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Air pollution has consistently been associated with increased morbidity and mortality due to respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Underlying biological mechanisms are not entirely clear, and hemostasis and inflammation are suggested to be involved.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to study the association of the variation in local concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter < 10 mum, carbon monoxide, nitrogen monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone with platelet aggregation, thrombin generation, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in healthy individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 40 healthy volunteers, we collected 13 consecutive blood samples within a 1-year period and measured light-transmittance platelet aggregometry, thrombin generation, fibrinogen, and CRP. We performed regression analysis using generalized additive models to study the association between the hemostatic and inflammatory variables, and local environmental concentrations of air pollutants for time lags within 24 hr before blood sampling or 24-96 hr before blood sampling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In general, air pollutants were associated with platelet aggregation [average, +8% per interquartile range (IQR), p < 0.01] and thrombin generation (average, +1% per IQR, p < 0.05). Platelet aggregation was not affected by in vitro incubation of plasma with PM. We observed no relationship between any of the air pollutants and fibrinogen or CRP levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Air pollution increased platelet aggregation as well as coagulation activity but had no clear effect on systemic inflammation. These prothrombotic effects may partly explain the relationship between air pollution and the risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease.
authors: Department of Hematology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors: Goran
authors: G
authors: Rudez
authors: Nicole A H
authors: NA
authors: Janssen
authors: Evren
authors: E
authors: Kilinc
authors: Frank W G
authors: FW
authors: Leebeek
authors: Miriam E
authors: ME
authors: Gerlofs-Nijland
authors: Henri M H
authors: HM
authors: Spronk
authors: Hugo
authors: H
authors: ten Cate
authors: Flemming R
authors: FR
authors: Cassee
authors: Moniek P M
authors: MP
authors: de Maat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000633:toxicity; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D013917:Thrombin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D013917:Thrombin