Abstract
Background: Oxidative stress is proposed as the underlying mechanism of air pollutants aggression over the airways. 8-Isoprostane is a reliable biomarker of oxidative stress. 8-Isoprostane could be detected in several fluids including exhaled breath condensate (EBC).
Objective: To study the relation between 8-isoprostane in EBC and air pollution exposure.
Methods: In the scope of a prospective study, EBC samples were collected from 27 wheezing children in order to measure 8-isoprostanes. Children were also evaluated through spirometry and skin prick tests for airborne allergens. After the definition of a day activity pattern for each children and direct measurements of air pollutants in different microenvironments (home, school and outdoor), individual exposure was calculated for PM10, O3, NO2, xylene, toluene, benzene, formaldehyde and ethylbenzene. Spearman rank correlation was used to study the associations between 8-isoprostane and air pollutants.
Results: The mean age of the studied children was 7.9 ± 1.1 years. Eleven were boys. The mean FEV1 was 96.7 ± 9.6%. Ten of the studied children were atopic. Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including toluene (rho = 0,604, p = 0,008), xylene (rho = 0,685, p = 0,002) and ethylbenzene (rho = 0,788, p<0,001) was correlated with 8-isoprostane concentrations in EBC. There were no correlations between EBC 8-isoprostane and PM10, O3, NO2 neither between EBC 8-isoprostane and spirometric results.
Conclusions: Individual exposure to VOCs seems to be related with oxidative stress evaluated through 8-isoprostanes measurement in EBC.
Granted by: Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, SaudAr Project.
- © 2012 ERS