title: Low-level exposure to ambient particulate matter is associated with systemic inflammation in ischemic heart disease patients.
abstract: Short-term exposure to ambient air pollution is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. This adverse health effect is suggested to be mediated by inflammatory processes. The purpose of this study was to determine if low levels of particulate matter, typical for smaller cities, are associated with acute systemic inflammation. Fifty-two elderly individuals with ischemic heart disease were followed for six months with biweekly clinical visits in the city of Kotka, Finland. Blood samples were collected for the determination of inflammatory markers interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, interferon (IFN)γ, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, myeloperoxidase and white blood cell count. Particle number concentration and fine particle (particles with aerodynamic diameters <2.5 μm (PM(2.5))) as well as thoracic particle (particles with aerodynamic diameters <10 μm (PM(10))) mass concentration were measured daily at a fixed outdoor measurement site. Light-absorbance of PM(2.5) filter samples, an indicator of combustion derived particles, was measured with a smoke-stain reflectometer. In addition, personal exposure to PM(2.5) was measured with portable photometers. During the study period, wildfires in Eastern Europe led to a 12-day air pollution episode, which was excluded from the main analyses. Average ambient PM(2.5) concentration was 8.7 μg/m(3). Of the studied pollutants, PM(2.5) and absorbance were most strongly associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers; most notably with C-reactive protein and IL-12 within a few days of exposure. There was also some evidence of an effect of particulate air pollution on fibrinogen and myeloperoxidase. The concentration of IL-12 was considerably (227%) higher during than before the forest fire episode. These findings show that even low levels of particulate air pollution from urban sources are associated with acute systemic inflammation. Also particles from wildfires may exhibit pro-inflammatory effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland. kati.huttunen@uef.fi
authors.forename: Kati
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Huttunen
authors.forename: Taina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Siponen
authors.forename: Iiris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Salonen
authors.forename: Tarja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yli-Tuomi
authors.forename: Minna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aurela
authors.forename: Hilkka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dufva
authors.forename: Risto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hillamo
authors.forename: Eeva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Linkola
authors.forename: Juha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pekkanen
authors.forename: Arto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pennanen
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Raimo O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Salonen
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Pekka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tiittanen
authors.forename: Maija-Riitta
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hirvonen
authors.forename: Timo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lanki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D052638:Particulate Matter; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D009195:Peroxidase