Effects of ambient air pollution on hemostasis and inflammation.
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.
Rudez
Goran
G
Department of Hematology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Janssen
Nicole A H
NA
Kilinc
Evren
E
Leebeek
Frank W G
FW
Gerlofs-Nijland
Miriam E
ME
Spronk
Henri M H
HM
ten Cate
Hugo
H
Cassee
Flemming R
FR
de Maat
Moniek P M
MP
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
D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D013917:Thrombin