Determination of air pollution-related biomarkers of exposure in urine of travellers between Germany and China using liquid chromatographic and liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric methods: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The influence of different exposures to PM2.5(particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter below 2.5 μm) on the concentrations of biomarkers of exposure and oxidative stress should be investigated. For this purpose, urine samples from individuals travelling from Germany to China were collected and analysed.


METHODS
Robust LC and LC-MS/MS methods were established for the determination of biomarkers including 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, malondialdehyde, F2α-isoprostanes and hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. As a pilot study, nine volunteers travelled from Germany (mean daily concentration of PM2.5: 21 μg/m3) to China (mean daily concentration of PM2.5: 108 μg/m3). Urine samples were collected before and after the trip.


RESULTS
In samples collected after return to Germany, the median concentrations of oxidative stress biomarkers were observed to be higher than in samples collected before leaving Germany. Decreasing trends were observed in the sequences of samples collected after return in the following weeks. Correlations were found between exposure and oxidative stress biomarkers.


CONCLUSIONS
Travellers are ideal models for PM pollution-induced acute health effects study. Exposure to PM pollution can cause oxidative stress and damage.
a Cooperation Group Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen - German Research Centre for Environmental Health GmbH , Neuherberg , Germany.|b HICE - Helmholtz Virtual Institute of Complex Molecular Systems in Environmental Health: Aerosol and Health , Neuherberg , Germany.|c Department of Analytical Chemistry , Institute of Chemistry, University of Rostock , Rostock , Germany.
Xiao
X
Wu
a Cooperation Group Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen - German Research Centre for Environmental Health GmbH , Neuherberg , Germany.|b HICE - Helmholtz Virtual Institute of Complex Molecular Systems in Environmental Health: Aerosol and Health , Neuherberg , Germany.
Jutta
J
Lintelmann
c Department of Analytical Chemistry , Institute of Chemistry, University of Rostock , Rostock , Germany.
Sophie
S
Klingbeil
d Department of Environmental Health , Shandong University , Jinan , China.
Jie
J
Li
e Department of Emergency , Qilu Hospital of Shandong University , Jinan , China.
Hao
H
Wang
a Cooperation Group Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen - German Research Centre for Environmental Health GmbH , Neuherberg , Germany.
Evelyn
E
Kuhn
a Cooperation Group Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen - German Research Centre for Environmental Health GmbH , Neuherberg , Germany.
Sebastian
S
Ritter
a Cooperation Group Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen - German Research Centre for Environmental Health GmbH , Neuherberg , Germany.|b HICE - Helmholtz Virtual Institute of Complex Molecular Systems in Environmental Health: Aerosol and Health , Neuherberg , Germany.|c Department of Analytical Chemistry , Institute of Chemistry, University of Rostock , Rostock , Germany.
Ralf
R
Zimmermann
D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine*; D002681:China; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D052638:Particulate Matter; D010865:Pilot Projects; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D014195:Travel
D015415:Biomarkers; D052638:Particulate Matter
8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine; Air pollution; F2α-isoprostanes; PAH; malondialdehyde; oxidative stress