Short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and circulating biomarkers of endothelial cell activation: The Framingham Heart Study

Wenyuan Li, Kirsten S. Dorans, Elissa H. Wilker, Mary B. Rice, Petter L. Ljungman, Joel D. Schwartz, Brent A. Coull, Petros Koutrakis, Diane R. Gold, John F. Keaney, Ramachandran S. Vasan, Emelia J. Benjamin, Murray A. Mittleman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Short-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with cardiovascular events, potentially by promoting endothelial cell activation and inflammation. A few large-scale studies have examined the associations and have had mixed results. Methods: We included 3820 non-current smoking participants (mean age 56 years, 54% women) from the Framingham Offspring cohort examinations 7 (1998–2001) and 8 (2005–2008), and Third Generation cohort examination 1 (2002–2005), who lived within 50 km of a central monitoring station. We calculated the 1- to 7-day moving averages of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), black carbon (BC), sulfate (SO42-), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and ozone before examination visits. We used linear mixed effect models for P-selectin, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 activity and mass, and osteoprotegerin that were measured up to twice, and linear regression models for CD40 ligand and interleukin-18 that were measured once, adjusting for demographics, life style and clinical factors, socioeconomic position, time, and meteorology. Results: We found negative associations of PM2.5 and BC with P-selectin, of ozone with MCP-1, and of SO42- and NOx with osteoprotegerin. At the 5-day moving average, a 5 µg/m3 higher PM2.5 was associated with 1.6% (95% CI: − 2.8, − 0.3) lower levels of P-selectin; a 10 ppb higher ozone was associated with 1.7% (95% CI: − 3.2, − 0.1) lower levels of MCP-1; and a 20 ppb higher NOx was associated with 2.0% (95% CI: − 3.6, − 0.4) lower levels of osteoprotegerin. Conclusions: We did not find evidence of positive associations between short-term air pollution exposure and endothelial cell activation. On the contrary, short-term exposure to higher levels of ambient pollutants were associated with lower levels of P-selectin, MCP-1, and osteoprotegerin in the Framingham Heart Study.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)36-43
Number of pages8
JournalEnvironmental Research
Volume171
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Air pollution
  • Biomarker
  • Endothelial dysfunction
  • Environment
  • Epidemiology
  • Inflammation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Environmental Science
  • Biochemistry

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