scholarly journals The impact of outdoor air pollution on COVID-19: a review of evidence from in vitro, animal, and human studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (159) ◽  
pp. 200242
Author(s):  
Thomas Bourdrel ◽  
Isabella Annesi-Maesano ◽  
Barrak Alahmad ◽  
Cara N. Maesano ◽  
Marie-Abèle Bind
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Uv Radiation ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Human Studies ◽  
The Impact

Studies have pointed out that air pollution may be a contributing factor to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, the specific links between air pollution and severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 infection remain unclear. Here we provide evidence from in vitro, animal and human studies from the existing literature. Epidemiological investigations have related various air pollutants to COVID-19 morbidity and mortality at the population level, however, those studies suffer from several limitations. Air pollution may be linked to an increase in COVID-19 severity and lethality through its impact on chronic diseases, such as cardiopulmonary diseases and diabetes. Experimental studies have shown that exposure to air pollution leads to a decreased immune response, thus facilitating viral penetration and replication. Viruses may persist in air through complex interactions with particles and gases depending on: 1) chemical composition; 2) electric charges of particles; and 3) meteorological conditions such as relative humidity, ultraviolet (UV) radiation and temperature. In addition, by reducing UV radiation, air pollutants may promote viral persistence in air and reduce vitamin D synthesis. Further epidemiological studies are needed to better estimate the impact of air pollution on COVID-19. In vitro and in vivo studies are also strongly needed, in particular to more precisely explore the particle–virus interaction in air.

scholarly journals Effects of Air Pollution on Lung Innate Lymphoid Cells: Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Experimental Studies

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (13) ◽  
pp. 2347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bertha Estrella ◽  
Elena N. Naumova ◽  
Magda Cepeda ◽  
Trudy Voortman ◽  
Peter D. Katsikis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Airway Hyperresponsiveness ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Innate Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Diesel Exhaust Particles ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Outdoor Air

Outdoor air pollution is associated with respiratory infections and allergies, yet the role of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in pathogen containment and airway hyperresponsiveness relevant to effects of air pollutants on ILCs is poorly understood. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the available evidence on the effect of outdoor air pollutants on the lung type 1 (ILC1) and type 2 ILCs (ILC2) subsets. We searched five electronic databases (up to Dec 2018) for studies on the effect of carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), diesel exhaust particles (DEP), ozone (O3), and particulate matter (PM) on respiratory ILCs. Of 2209 identified citations, 22 full-text papers were assessed for eligibility, and 12 articles describing experimental studies performed in murine strains (9) and on human blood cells (3) were finally selected. Overall, these studies showed that exposure to PM, DEP, and high doses of O3 resulted in a reduction of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production and cytotoxicity of ILC1. These pollutants and carbon nanotubes stimulate lung ILC2s, produce high levels of interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13, and induce airway hyperresponsiveness. These findings highlight potential mechanisms by which human ILCs react to air pollution that increase the susceptibility to infections and allergies.

scholarly journals The Air We Breathe: Air Pollution as a Prevalent Proinflammatory Stimulus Contributing to Neurodegeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Jankowska-Kieltyka ◽  
Adam Roman ◽  
Irena Nalepa
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disease ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Circulatory System ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Central Nervous System

Air pollution is regarded as an important risk factor for many diseases that affect a large proportion of the human population. To date, accumulating reports have noted that particulate matter (PM) is closely associated with the course of cardiopulmonary disorders. As the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and autoimmune disorders have risen and as the world’s population is aging, there is an increasing interest in environmental health hazards, mainly air pollution, which has been slightly overlooked as one of many plausible detrimental stimuli contributing to neurodegenerative disease onset and progression. Epidemiological studies have indicated a noticeable association between exposure to PM and neurotoxicity, which has been gradually confirmed by in vivo and in vitro studies. After entering the body directly through the olfactory epithelium or indirectly by passing through the respiratory system into the circulatory system, air pollutants are subsequently able to reach the brain. Among the potential mechanisms underlying particle-induced detrimental effects in the periphery and the central nervous system (CNS), increased oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, microglial activation, disturbance of protein homeostasis, and ultimately, neuronal death are often postulated and concomitantly coincide with the main pathomechanisms of neurodegenerative processes. Other complementary mechanisms by which PM could mediate neurotoxicity and contribute to neurodegeneration remain unconfirmed. Furthermore, the question of how strong and proven air pollutants are as substantial adverse factors for neurodegenerative disease etiologies remains unsolved. This review highlights research advances regarding the issue of PM with an emphasis on neurodegeneration markers, symptoms, and mechanisms by which air pollutants could mediate damage in the CNS. Poor air quality and insufficient knowledge regarding its toxicity justify conducting scientific investigations to understand the biological impact of PM in the context of various types of neurodegeneration.

scholarly journals PFAS Environmental Pollution and Antioxidant Responses: An Overview of the Impact on Human Field

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Bonato ◽  
Francesca Corrà ◽  
Marta Bellio ◽  
Laura Guidolin ◽  
Laura Tallandini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Pollution ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Antioxidant Defense System ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Environmental Distribution ◽  
Commercial Applications ◽  
The Impact

Due to their unique properties, perfluorinated substances (PFAS) are widely used in multiple industrial and commercial applications, but they are toxic for animals, humans included. This review presents some available data on the PFAS environmental distribution in the world, and in particular in Europe and in Veneto region of Italy, where it has become a serious problem for human health. The consumption of contaminated food and drinking water is considered one of the major source of exposure for humans. Worldwide epidemiological studies report the negative effects that PFAS have on human health, due to environmental pollution, including infertility, steroid hormone perturbation, thyroid, liver and kidney disorders and metabolic disfunctions. In vitro and in vivo researches correlated PFAS exposure to oxidative stress effects (in mammals as well as in other vertebrates of human interest), produced by a PFAS-induced increase of reactive oxygen species formation. The cellular antioxidant defense system is activated by PFAS, but it is only partially able to avoid the oxidative damage to biomolecules.

scholarly journals Can Hypoxic Conditioning Improve Bone Metabolism? A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 1799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Camacho-Cardenosa ◽  
Alba Camacho-Cardenosa ◽  
Rafael Timón ◽  
Guillermo Olcina ◽  
Pablo Tomas-Carus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Metabolism ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Hormonal Responses ◽  
Hypoxia Exposure ◽  
Ambient Oxygen ◽  
The Impact

Among other functions, hypoxia-inducible factor plays a critical role in bone–vascular coupling and bone formation. Studies have suggested that hypoxic conditioning could be a potential nonpharmacological strategy for treating skeletal diseases. However, there is no clear consensus regarding the bone metabolism response to hypoxia. Therefore, this review aims to examine the impact of different modes of hypoxia conditioning on bone metabolism. The PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for experimental studies written in English that investigated the effects of modification of ambient oxygen on bone remodelling parameters of healthy organisms. Thirty-nine studies analysed the effect of sustained or cyclic hypoxia exposure on genetic and protein expression and mineralisation capacity of different cell models; three studies carried out in animal models implemented sustained or cyclic hypoxia; ten studies examined the effect of sustained, intermittent or cyclic hypoxia on bone health and hormonal responses in humans. Different modes of hypoxic conditioning may have different impacts on bone metabolism both in vivo and in vitro. Additional research is necessary to establish the optimal cyclical dose of oxygen concentration and exposure time.

scholarly journals Association between Female Reproductive Health and Mancozeb: Systematic Review of Experimental Models

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Bianchi ◽  
Stefania Annarita Nottola ◽  
Diana Torge ◽  
Maria Grazia Palmerini ◽  
Stefano Necozione ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Female Reproductive Health

Mancozeb is a widely used fungicide approved for use in agriculture in many countries with long persistence in the environment and consequent bioaccumulation in tissues and biological fluids. Despite the large amount of studies published in recent years, the relationship between mancozeb exposure and female reproductive health is not fully elucidated. In order to summarize current evidence on mancozeb exposure and female reproductive disease, we performed a systematic review of literature. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to make this review. An adapted version of the National Toxicology Program’s Office of Health and Assessment and Translation (OHAT) framework was used to evaluate the risk of bias. Electronic search on two databases (PubMed and Scopus) was used to find experimental studies (in vitro and in vivo) on mancozeb exposure. The database search identified 250 scientific articles, 20 of which met our inclusion criteria. Selected data were then reviewed and summarized in tables. Overall, mancozeb represents a hazard for female reproductive health, with different mechanisms of action. Undoubtedly more experimental and epidemiological studies are required to definitively validate mancozeb as reproductive toxicant.

scholarly journals PFAS Environmental Pollution and Antioxidant Responses: An Overview of the Impact on Human Field

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 8020
Author(s):  
Marco Bonato ◽  
Francesca Corrà ◽  
Marta Bellio ◽  
Laura Guidolin ◽  
Laura Tallandini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Pollution ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Antioxidant Defense System ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Environmental Distribution ◽  
Commercial Applications ◽  
The Impact

Due to their unique properties, perfluorinated substances (PFAS) are widely used in multiple industrial and commercial applications, but they are toxic for animals, humans included. This review presents some available data on the PFAS environmental distribution in the world, and in particular in Europe and in the Veneto region of Italy, where it has become a serious problem for human health. The consumption of contaminated food and drinking water is considered one of the major source of exposure for humans. Worldwide epidemiological studies report the negative effects that PFAS have on human health, due to environmental pollution, including infertility, steroid hormone perturbation, thyroid, liver and kidney disorders, and metabolic disfunctions. In vitro and in vivo researches correlated PFAS exposure to oxidative stress effects (in mammals as well as in other vertebrates of human interest), produced by a PFAS-induced increase of reactive oxygen species formation. The cellular antioxidant defense system is activated by PFAS, but it is only partially able to avoid the oxidative damage to biomolecules.

scholarly journals Microbiota and Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases—An Overview

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Catinean ◽  
Maria Adriana Neag ◽  
Andrei Otto Mitre ◽  
Corina Ioana Bocsan ◽  
Anca Dana Buzoianu
Keyword(s):  
Autoimmune Diseases ◽  
Beneficial Effect ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

In recent years, increased attention has been paid to the relationship between microbiota and various diseases, especially immune-mediated diseases. Because conventional therapy for many autoimmune diseases is limited both in efficacy and safety, there is an increased interest in identifying nutraceuticals, particularly probiotics, able to modulate the microbiota and ameliorate these diseases. In this review, we analyzed the research focused on the role of gut microbiota and skin in immunity, their role in immune-mediated skin diseases (IMSDs), and the beneficial effect of probiotics in patients with this pathology. We selected articles published between 2009 and 2019 in PubMed and ScienceDirect that provided information regarding microbiota, IMSDs and the role of probiotics in these diseases. We included results from different types of studies including observational and interventional clinical trials or in vivo and in vitro experimental studies. Our results showed that probiotics have a beneficial effect in changing the microbiota of patients with IMSDs; they also influence disease progression. Further studies are needed to better understand the impact of new therapies on intestinal microbiota. It is also important to determine whether the microbiota of patients with autoimmune diseases can be manipulated in order to restore homeostasis of the microbiota.

scholarly journals Using epidemiology to estimate the impact and burden of exposure to air pollutants

2020 ◽  
Vol 378 (2183) ◽  
pp. 20190321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison M. Gowers ◽  
Heather Walton ◽  
Karen S. Exley ◽  
J. Fintan Hurley
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Particulate Air Pollution ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
Methodological Considerations ◽  
The Impact

This paper focuses on the use of results of epidemiological studies to quantify the effects on health, particularly on mortality, of long-term exposure to air pollutants. It introduces health impact assessment methods, used to predict the benefits that can be expected from implementation of interventions to reduce emissions of pollutants. It also explains the estimation of annual mortality burdens attributable to current levels of pollution. Burden estimates are intended to meet the need to communicate the size of the effect of air pollution on public health to policy makers and others. The implications, for the interpretation of the estimates, of the assumptions and approximations underlying the methods are discussed. The paper starts with quantification based on results obtained from studies of the association of mortality risk with long-term average concentrations of particulate air pollution. It then tackles the additional methodological considerations that need to be addressed when also considering the mortality effects of other pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ). Finally, approaches that could be used to integrate morbidity and mortality endpoints in the same assessment are touched upon. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Air quality, past present and future’.

scholarly journals Association between air pollution and type 2 diabetes: an updated review of the literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 204201881989704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongze Li ◽  
Lu Xu ◽  
Zhongyan Shan ◽  
Weiping Teng ◽  
Cheng Han
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Critical Public Health

Air pollution and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are critical public health issues worldwide. A large number of epidemiological studies have highlighted the adverse effects of air pollution on diabetes, and include risk profiles for different exposure durations, study design types, subgroup populations, and effects of air pollution components. We researched PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science to identify studies on the association between air pollution and T2DM from January 2009 to January 2019. The aim of this review is to provide a brief overview of epidemiological and experimental studies on air pollution associated with T2DM from the latest research, which may provide practical information about this relationship and possible mechanisms. Current cumulative evidence appears to suggest that T2DM-related biomarkers increase with increasing exposure duration and concentration of air pollutants. The chemical constituents of the air pollutant mixture may affect T2DM to varying degrees. The suggested mechanisms whereby air pollutants induce T2DM include increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

scholarly journals Chronic Low-Dose Exposure to Xenoestrogen Ambient Air Pollutants and Breast Cancer Risk: XENAIR Protocol for a Case-Control Study Nested Within the French E3N Cohort (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amina Amadou ◽  
Thomas Coudon ◽  
Delphine Praud ◽  
Pietro Salizzoni ◽  
Karen Leffondre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Breast Cancer Risk ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Hormone Receptor Status ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Control Study

BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women in industrialized countries. Lifestyle and environmental factors, particularly endocrine-disrupting pollutants, have been suggested to play a role in breast cancer risk. Current epidemiological studies, although not fully consistent, suggest a positive association of breast cancer risk with exposure to several International Agency for Research on Cancer Group 1 air-pollutant carcinogens, such as particulate matter, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), dioxins, Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), and cadmium. However, epidemiological studies remain scarce and inconsistent. It has been proposed that the menopausal status could modify the relationship between pollutants and breast cancer and that the association varies with hormone receptor status. OBJECTIVE The XENAIR project will investigate the association of breast cancer risk (overall and by hormone receptor status) with chronic exposure to selected air pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), BaP, dioxins, PCB-153, and cadmium. METHODS Our research is based on a case-control study nested within the French national E3N cohort of 5222 invasive breast cancer cases identified during follow-up from 1990 to 2011, and 5222 matched controls. A questionnaire was sent to all participants to collect their lifetime residential addresses and information on indoor pollution. We will assess these exposures using complementary models of land-use regression, atmospheric dispersion, and regional chemistry-transport (CHIMERE) models, via a Geographic Information System. Associations with breast cancer risk will be modeled using conditional logistic regression models. We will also study the impact of exposure on DNA methylation and interactions with genetic polymorphisms. Appropriate statistical methods, including Bayesian modeling, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis, will be used to assess the impact of multipollutant exposure. The fraction of breast cancer cases attributable to air pollution will be estimated. RESULTS The XENAIR project will contribute to current knowledge on the health effects of air pollution and identify and understand environmental modifiable risk factors related to breast cancer risk. CONCLUSIONS The results will provide relevant evidence to governments and policy-makers to improve effective public health prevention strategies on air pollution. The XENAIR dataset can be used in future efforts to study the effects of exposure to air pollution associated with other chronic conditions. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/15167

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