Air pollution influence on serum inflammatory interleukins: A prospective study in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematous patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of individual exposure, in real-time, to traffic-related pollutants on serum interleukin levels of childhood-onset lupus erythematous systemic (c-SLE) patients. METHODS: A longitudinal and observational design was conducted in 12 repeated measures of serum samples and clinical evaluations (totaling 108 measurements) of c-SLE patients over 30 consecutive months. Real-time, individual exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was measured with portable monitors. Generalized estimating equation was used to evaluate the association between exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 and the following serum cytokine levels on the 7 days preceding clinical assessment and serum collection: MCP1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IFN-alpha, and TNF-alpha. Disease activity and other risk factors were also controlled. RESULTS: An interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5 daily concentration was significantly associated with increased levels of TNF-alpha on the third, fourth, and seventh day after exposure; IL-10 on the third and fourth day after exposure; IL-17 on the third and seventh day after exposure; and INF-alpha on the third day after exposure (p < 0.05). An IQR increase in 7-day moving average of PM2.5 was associated with a 6.2 pg/mL (95% CI: 0.5; 11.8; p = 0.04) increase in serum IFN-alpha level. An unexpected significant association was observed between an IQR increase in NO27-day cumulative concentration and a decrease of 1.6 pg/mL (95% CI: -2.6; -0.7; p < 0.001) in serum IL-17. CONCLUSION: Real-time exposure to PM2.5 prospectively associated with increased serum TNF-alpha, INF-alpha, IL-10, and IL-17 levels in c-SLE patients.

Chronic exposure to ambient levels of urban particles affects mouse lung development.

RATIONALE: Chronic exposure to air pollution has been associated with adverse effects on children's lung growth. OBJECTIVES: We analyzed the effects of chronic exposure to urban levels of particulate matter (PM) on selected phases of mouse lung development. METHODS: The exposure occurred in two open-top chambers (filtered and nonfiltered) placed 20 m from a street with heavy traffic in São Paulo, 24 hours/day for 8 months. There was a significant reduction of the levels of PM(2.5) inside the filtered chamber (filtered = 2.9 +/- 3.0 microg/m(3), nonfiltered = 16.8 +/- 8.3 microg/m(3); P = 0.001). At this exposure site, vehicular sources are the major components of PM(2.5) (PM

Intrauterine exposure to diesel exhaust diminishes adult ovarian reserve.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze ovarian and uterine morphologic changes resulting from intrauterine and postnatal exposure to diesel exhaust. DESIGN: Crossover study. Experimental groups: intrauterine and postnatal clean air exposure; intrauterine exposure to diesel only; postnatal exposure to diesel only; and intrauterine and postnatal exposure to diesel. SETTING: Laboratory of Experimental Air Pollution. ANIMAL(S): Swiss mice. INTERVENTION(S): Mice exposed to diesel exhaust with doses that correspond to the daily average PM2.5 levels (fine particles in the ambient air 2.5 µm or less in size) reported by the World Health Organization. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Morphometric analyses of the ovaries and uterus were performed to define the relative area occupied by follicles, corpus luteum, and stroma and the proportionate area of glands, epithelial layer, and stroma within the uterine endometrium. RESULT(S): A significant reduction in the proportion of primordial follicles was observed in intrauterine-exposed animals, those exposed during the postnatal period, and in animals exposed during both phases. Primary follicle proportion was reduced in animals exposed during pregnancy. No significant changes were detected in uterine morphology. CONCLUSION(S): Intrauterine exposure to acceptable levels of diesel exhaust compromises the reproductive potential of female mice, diminishing ovarian reserve when sexual maturity is achieved. This effect could increase the risk of premature menopause. The findings raise concern about current environmental guidelines for diesel exposure, warranting more careful examination of this issue in humans by regulatory authorities.

Associação entre os níveis ambientais de poluição atmosférica e mudanças na razão sexual na cidade de São Paulo: uma abordagem epidemiológica e experimental / Association between ambient levels of air pollution and changes in the sex ratio in the city of São Paulo an epidemiologic and experimental approach

Prévios estudos têm demonstrado alterações nas taxas normais de razão sexual. No entanto, uma associação direta entre níveis ambientais de poluição e razão sexual, não tem sido ainda claramente demonstrada. A fim de investigarmos esta associação, desenvolvemos duas abordagens: uma epidemiológica e outra experimental. O efeito da poluição sobre a população da cidade de São Paulo foi verificado através da associação entre a razão sexual e gradientes de concentração de material particulado (PM10). A fim de conferir plausibilidade biológica aos achados epidemiológicos, camundongos machos com 10 dias de vida, foram expostos em câmaras do tipo Topo Aberto, sob condições de exposição mais controladas. Uma associação negativa e significante foi observada entre razão sexual e PM10, dentro de uma faixa estreita de concentração de PM10 (31 a 61 ?g/m3). Na região menos poluída, a razão sexual foi de 51,7% (106,8) para 34.795 nascimentos registrados, enquanto que para a mais poluída, a proporção decresceu para 50,7% (102,9) para 48.023 nascimentos registrados, com uma redução de 1% no número total de nascimentos masculinos. O grupo de camundongos da linhagem Swiss, acasalados com fêmeas virgens, maduras e não expostas, produziu uma prole com alterações significativas (p<0,041) na razão sexual (0,86) quando comparado com o grupo controle (1,34). Análises morfométricas dos testículos demonstraram alterações significativas no perfil da linhagem germinativa, com reduções no número das espermátides alongadas (p<0,020) e no número total de células (p<0,032). Um decréscimo na concentração dos espermatozóides (46,95x106 /ml) também foi observado nos animais expostos à poluição quando comparado ao grupo controle (54,60x106 /ml). A partir dos nossos resultados podemos concluir que a poluição pode interferir com a distribuição do sexo nas populações expostas aos níveis ambientais de poluição.

Some studies have observed abnormal sex ratios in industrial polluted areas but a direct association between urban levels of air pollutant and sex ratio at birth has not hitherto reported. To examine whether this relationship held true, we evaluated how ambient air pollution interferes on female/male ratio in human and mice models. The effect of air pollution was addressed by determining SSR (secondary sex ratio) across pollution gradients in the city of São Paulo, using inhalable particles (PM10) as a proxy variable for overall pollution levels. To provide biological plausibility to the foregoing epidemiological observation, we designed an experimental study exposing mice in controlled chamber conditions. Results disclosed a significant negative between SSR and PM10, within a relatively narrow range of PM10 levels (31 to 61 ?g/m3). In the least polluted area the sex ratio was 51.7% (106.8) for 34,795 births recorded, and for the most polluted area the proportion decreased to 50.7 % (102.9) for 48,023 births recorded, indicating a difference of 1% in total male births. This result corresponds to a 1,180 unborn male offspring in the highest polluted areas. The group of male Swiss mice housed 10 days after birth in open top chambers exposed to air pollution, where they mate mature and non-exposed virgin female mice, produced an offspring with a 0.86 male/female ratio. The offspring of the group of mice concurrently raised in similar but filtered open top chamber was significantly (p<0.042) higher (1.34). A remarkable result was the testicular histological morphometry with a significant (p<0,020) reduction in the number of elongated spermatids and total cells (p<0,032) of exposed males. In association, a decrease in sperm concentration in the caudal portion of the epidydimus was also found in the exposed mice (46,95x106 /ml) compared to the non-exposed (54,60x106 /ml). In conclusion the findings in our study support the concept that ambient air pollution...