Association between inflammation processes, DNA damage, and exposure to environmental pollutants

Abstract

Environmental exposure to pollutants, especially polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), could lead to carcinogenesis development. However, there is a gap on the mechanisms involved in this effect. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between exposure to environmental air pollution and inflammation process in DNA damage in taxi drivers. This study included 45 taxi drivers and 40 controls; non-smokers composed both groups. Biological monitoring was performed through quantification of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP). ICAM-1 (CD54) expression, NTPDase activity, inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ) levels, and comet and micronucleus assays were evaluated. The results demonstrated that 1-OHP levels, ICAM-1 expression, NTPDase activity, and DNA damage biomarkers (% tail DNA and micronucleus frequency) were increased in taxi drivers compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Moreover, significant associations were found between 1-OHP levels and ICAM-1 expression, % tail DNA, and micronucleus frequency (p < 0.05). Besides, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were positively correlated to % tail DNA and micronucleus frequency (p < 0.001). Our findings suggest an important association between environmental exposure to air pollution with increase of ICAM-1 expression and NTPDase activity in taxi drivers. Additionally, the multiple regression linear-analysis demonstrated association between IL-6 and DNA damage. Thus, the present study has provided important evidence that, in addition to environmental exposure to air pollutants, the inflammation process may contribute to DNA damage.

Does air pollution play a role in infertility?: a systematic review

“…Indeed, the inflammation processes due to ROS can alter DNA as reported in a study of taxi drivers [102]. Moreover, telomere length has been reported to increase with increasing annual exposure to NO x, PM 2.5 and PM 10 [103].…”

Insights in particulate matter‐induced allergic airway inflammation: Focus on the epithelium

“…In contrast, most human studies investigate the effect of air pollution using blood, in which the identified cytokines can have either an epithelial or hematopoietic origin. Notably, exposure to PM has generally been related to an increased expression of IL‐1β in the blood of adults, children and during prenatal life . One study also observed a correlation between a joint increase in TSLP+IL‐33 cord blood levels and heavy street traffic during pregnancy (see Table for a detailed overview).…”

“…Notably, exposure to PM has generally been related to an increased expression of IL-1b in the blood of adults, children and during prenatal life. [160][161][162][163][164][165][166][167] One study also observed a correlation between a joint increase in TSLP+IL-33 cord blood levels and heavy street traffic during pregnancy 168 (see Table S2 for a detailed overview).…”

Health risk in road transport workers. Part I. Occupational exposure to chemicals, biomarkers of effect

“…The genotoxic and carcinogenic effect of PAHs metabolites, by creating adducts with DNA or generating oxidative stress. as well as proinflammatory processes during their biotransformation, has been documented [13].…”

“…The consequences of exposure to such diversified chemical compounds include air pollutionrelated adverse respiratory effects, like airway inflammation, decreased lung function and the development of cardiovascular diseases. The pathogenic interaction mechanism of xenobiotics with human tissues and cells has not been fully explored; however, it is known for sure that these mechanisms include oxidative stress, qualitative and quantitative modifications of the cell receptors of target proteins, immunomodulation, and an inflammatory state inducement [13,14].…”