Research shows air pollution could play role in development of
cardiometabolic diseases

Date:
August 20, 2020
Source:
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Summary:
Air pollution is the world's leading environmental risk factor, and
causes more than nine million deaths per year. New research shows
air pollution may play a role in the development of cardiometabolic
diseases, such as diabetes. Importantly, the effects were reversible
with cessation of exposure.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
Air pollution is the world's leading environmental risk factor, and
causes more than nine million deaths per year. New research published
in the Journal of Clinical Investigation shows air pollution may
play a role in the development of cardiometabolic diseases, such as
diabetes. Importantly, the effects were reversible with cessation of
exposure.


========================================================================== Researchers found that air pollution was a "risk factor for a risk factor"
that contributed to the common soil of other fatal problems like heart
attack and stroke. Similar to how an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise
can lead to disease, exposure to air pollution could be added to this
risk factor list as well.

"In this study, we created an environment that mimicked a polluted day in
New Delhi or Beijing," said Sanjay Rajagopalan, MD, first author on the
study, Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine at University Hospitals Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, and Director of the Case Western Reserve University Cardiovascular Research Institute. "We concentrated fine
particles of air pollution, called PM2.5 (particulate matter component <
2.5 microns).

Concentrated particles like this develop from human impact on the
environment, such as automobile exhaust, power generation and other
fossil fuels." These particles have been strongly connected to risk
factors for disease. For example, cardiovascular effects of air pollution
can lead to heart attack and stroke. The research team has shown exposure
to air pollution can increase the likelihood of the same risk factors that
lead to heart disease, such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

In the mouse model study, three groups were observed: a control group
receiving clean filtered air, a group exposed to polluted air for 24
weeks, and a group fed a high-fat diet. Interestingly, the researchers
found that being exposed to air pollution was comparable to eating a
high-fat diet. Both the air pollution and high-fat diet groups showed
insulin resistance and abnormal metabolism - - just like one would see
in a pre-diabetic state.

These changes were associated with changes in the epigenome, a layer of
control that can masterfully turn on and turn off thousands of genes, representing a critical buffer in response to environmental factors. This
study is the first- of-its-kind to compare genome-wide epigenetic changes
in response to air pollution, compare and contrast these changes with
that of eating an unhealthy diet, and examine the impact of air pollution cessation on these changes.

"The good news is that these effects were reversible, at least in our experiments" added Dr. Rajagopalan. "Once the air pollution was removed
from the environment, the mice appeared healthier and the pre-diabetic
state seemed to reverse." Dr. Rajagopalan explains that if you live in a densely polluted environment, taking actions such as wearing an N95 mask,
using portable indoor air cleaners, utilizing air conditioning, closing
car windows while commuting, and changing car air filters frequently could
all be helpful in staying healthy and limiting air pollution exposure.

Next steps in this research involve meeting with a panel of experts, as
well as the National Institutes of Health, to discuss conducting clinical trials that compare heart health and the level of air pollution in the environment. For example, if someone has a heart attack, should they
be wearing an N95 mask or using a portable air filter at home during
recovery? Dr. Rajagopalan and his team believe that it is important to
address the environment as a population health risk factor and continue
to diligently research these issues. The authors also note that these
findings should encourage policymakers to enact measures aimed at reducing
air pollution.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_Hospitals_Cleveland_Medical_Center. Note: Content may be
edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Sanjay Rajagopalan, Bongsoo Park, Rengasamy Palanivel, Vinesh
Vinayachandran, Jeffrey A. Deiuliis, Roopesh Singh Gangwar, Lopa
M. Das, Jinhu Yin, Youngshim Choi, Sadeer Al-Kindi, Mukesh K. Jain,
Kasper D.

Hansen, Shyam Biswal. Metabolic effects of air pollution exposure
and reversibility. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2020; DOI:
10.1172/ JCI137315 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200820122040.htm

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