Environmental Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds is Associated with Endothelial Injury

Abstract

Objective: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are airborne toxicants abundant in outdoor and indoor air. High levels of VOCs are also present at various Superfund and other hazardous waste sites; however, little is known about the cardiovascular effects of VOCs. We hypothesized that ambient exposure to VOCs exacerbate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by depleting circulating angiogenic cells (CACs). Approach and Results: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 375 non-smokers with low-to-high CVD risk and measured 15 subpopulations of CACs by flow cytometry and 16 urinary metabolites of 12 VOCs by LC/MS/MS. Associations between CAC and VOC metabolite levels were examined using generalized linear models. Our data show that VOC exposure varied by sex, age, and race. In single pollutant models, metabolites of xylene, benzene, and 1,3-butadiene were negatively associated with CAC levels. The metabolite of acrylonitrile was negatively associated with CD45dim/CD146+/CD34+/AC133+ cells and CD45+/CD146+/AC133+, and the toluene metabolite with AC133+ cells. Multipollutant models showed a negative association with metabolites of ethylbenzene/styrene, benzene, and xylene with CD45dim/CD146+/CD34+ cells, independent of other VOC metabolite levels. Cumulative VOC risk score showed a strong negative association with CD45dim/CD146+/CD34+ cells, suggesting that total VOC exposure has a cumulative effect on pro-angiogenic cells. Dose-response relationship showed an increase in CAC levels at low, but depletion at higher levels of VOC exposure. Sex and race, hypertension, and diabetes significantly modified VOC associated CAC depletion. Conclusion: Low-level ambient exposure to VOCs is associated with CAC depletion, which could compromise endothelial repair and angiogenesis, and exacerbate CVD risk.

Distribution of volatile organic compounds around Ulsan Industrial Complexes and its possible health impact on the residents; a cross-sectional study

“…Other than blood pressure, VOC is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, heart failure hospitalizations, and ischemic heart disease mortality [27,28], and the mechanism underlying these health risks is assumed to be through the endothelial damage. Moreover, VOCs can exert an effect on insulin resistance which is the main factor in the development of diabetes [27,[29][30][31][32]. Yang et al also reported that high urinary t,t-MA increased the risk of diabetes regardless of smoking status and sex [33].…”

“…Everson et al measured the BTEX and NO 2 exposure at the personal level and found out that those exposure and blood pressure have a positive association even in both short-term and long-term exposure as well as in lower concentrations [26]. Other than blood pressure, VOC is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, heart failure hospitalizations, and ischemic heart disease mortality [27,28], and the mechanism underlying these health risks is assumed to be through the endothelial damage. Moreover, VOCs can exert an effect on insulin resistance which is the main factor in the development of diabetes [27,[29][30][31][32].…”