Ambient air pollution exposures and alterations in health biomarkers: evidence from a prospective observational study

Abstract

A prospective observational study was conducted in Bhubaneswar city for 50 normal individuals in different age groups (>= 20 to <= 70 years) already exposed to urban air pollution. They were segregated into three different categories such as female/male; short/prolonged exposure and age <= 40/ >40. The focus was to investigate any probable impact of prolonged exposure on anthropometric: Body mass index, central systolic/diastolic blood pressure (CSBP/CDBP), peripheral systolic/diastolic blood pressure (PSBP/PDBP), biochemical: Malondialdehyde and Oxidizes Low-Density Lipoprotein (MDA, Ox-LDL), pulmonary: Forced expiratory volume in first second/ Forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) and cardiovascular: brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), sympathovagal ratio (LF/HF) and reactive hyperemia index (RHI) parameters among the groups. Biochemical and pulmonary parameters were within normal range. Average baPWV was higher for males and prolonged exposure category compared to their respective counterparts. LF/HF indicated sympathetic dominance in males and prolonged exposure in age group > 40 years. RHI showed a deviation from the normal range in all three categories indicating endothelial dysfunction. The metal profile of serum and water-soluble particulate matter (PM2.5) was investigated using ICP-MS and ICP-OES, respectively. Concentrations of serum metals namely Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Sr, and I were also reported for the first time in the Indian population. Nevertheless, Cu/Zn ratio indicates a deviation from the normal range (1:1) in females (1.59), prolonged exposure group (1.38) as well as in the age group >40 years (1.42), which is well correlated with endothelial dysfunction (RHI) in the study. Further, a statistical significance of p<0.05 was observed for RHI in the short/ prolonged exposure group, LF/HF ratio, and Fe, Cu, and Cu/Zn ratio in the Female/male category for serum metal.