Biomarkers of PAH exposure and hematologic effects in subjects exposed to combustion emission during residential (and professional) cooking practices in Pakistan

Abstract

During the last decade, advances in analytical methods, an avalanche of information available over the Internet and a creation of international collaborations, have greatly increased our understanding of the role of trace elements in humans. Today, morbidity and mortality related to trace element deficiencies or toxicities affect more than half of the world's population. Research on both essential and toxic trace elements runs the gamut, from studies of dietary intake, requirements, and standards to optimal homeostasis and threshold values to genetic, molecular, and biochemical investigations of mechanisms of action. Specifically, trace elements are known to be involved in receptor, hormone, and enzyme functions, as well as genetics and derangements in disease.Disorders of trace element metabolism represent an important class of human diseases. The best known of these reflect abnormalities in iron, copper, or zinc metabolism. These diseases can lead to a deficiency of the metal in the tissues (e.g., matriptase-2 deficiency for iron, Menkes disease for copper, acrodermatitis enteropathica for zinc) or an excess (e.g., hemochromatosis for iron, Wilson's disease for copper). The adverse health effects resulting from trace element malnutrition have been almost completely solved in affluent countries with the exception of marginalized population groups, but deficiencies of trace element are still quite prevalent in less developed countries. Similarly, acute and chronic toxicity due to overexposure/pollution is a much more extensive problem in less developed countries than those that are affluent. Subclinical conditions of toxicity may be associated with a chronic low level occupational, environmental toxic exposure, or food toxicology and lead to insidious biological effects that indirectly affect health and disease risk.The propensity of a metal to be accumulated by living organisms depends on the affinity of the element for biological surfaces and its ability to cross external cell membranes, which, in turn, depends on its speciation. Once incorporated inside cells, the fate of the metal and its effects will depend on the ability of the organism to detoxify, and ultimately, eliminate the metal. Metals inappropriately bound to sensitive subcellular components, such as mitochondria or metabolic enzymes, can lead to oxidative stress and substantial metabolic costs. Each species within a food web possesses its own capacity for metal accumulation, storage, detoxification, and elimination. This species-specific response, combined with behavioral and ecological considerations of predator-prey interactions, greatly affects the capacity of metals to efficiently transfer along food webs and to induce toxicity.The present issue of ESPR contains selected articles contributed by speakers at the International Seminar BEcotoxicology and toxicology: problems and decisions.T he meeting was held in Rovaltain, Alixan, France, on 26 November 2015 and was organized by Trace ElementInstitute for UNESCO (TEU) and Foundation Rovaltain, in...

Household fuel use and biomarkers of inflammation and respiratory illness among rural South African Women

“…Similar results were reported in another study among Indian women, where the women who used biomass fuels for cooking were found to have significantly higher levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and CRP (Dutta et al, 2012). A study of Pakistani women reported higher mean serum concentrations of CRP among women cooking with biomass fuels in the home (1.9 mg/l) compared with non-exposed women (0.66 mg/l) (Kamal et al, 2016). However, a small pilot study among women in rural China found no differences in CRP levels between women with high versus low exposure to particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μg (PM 2.5 ) (Shan et al, 2014).…”

“…Epidemiologic studies indicate that individuals exposed to biomass smoke have increased risk of respiratory symptoms and illnesses (Kurmi et al, 2013, Kurmi et al, 2010, Kamal et al, 2016, Regalado et al, 2006), including evidence of respiratory tract infections among individuals exposed to biomass smoke in Kenya (Ezzati and Kammen, 2001) and among South African children living in homes where polluting fuel sources are used for heating and cooking (Barnes et al, 2009). Studies also find more frequent respiratory symptoms or illness among women using traditional stoves compared to women using improved cookstoves (Clark et al, 2009, Romieu et al, 2009).…”

“…Studies also find more frequent respiratory symptoms or illness among women using traditional stoves compared to women using improved cookstoves (Clark et al, 2009, Romieu et al, 2009). Furthermore, studies in Central America and South Asia suggest cooking with biomass fuels is associated with increased levels of: biomarkers of endothelial inflammation (i.e., intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) (Caravedo et al, 2015) and pro-inflammatory biomarkers (i.e., interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and C reactive protein (CRP)) (Kamal et al, 2016, Dutta et al, 2012, Banerjee et al, 2012).…”

Long-term Exposure to Low Concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Alterations in Platelet Indices: A Longitudinal Study in China

“…We measured the levels of eight urinary PAH metabolites as biomarkers of exposure to avoid the uncertainty of single biomarkers [49]. Effects on platelet counts have been recorded for PAHs generated during residential and professional cooking [50]. Our ndings suggest that PAH exposure (in particular PAHs that metabolize to 9hydroxy uorene) affects mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, and platelet-large cell ratio.…”

Association of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with systemic inflammation and metabolic syndrome and its components

“…Furthermore, these studies did not assess the potential mechanism; thus the mechanism underlying the association remains largely unknown. Substantial previous studies showed that PAH exposure was associated with health damage by promoting the inflammation process, and PAH metabolites were associated with higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) [22,23]. In addition, as a biomarker of the inflammatory response, CRP was also reported to be involved in the process and occurrence of MetS [24].…”