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Biological monitoring of particulate matter accumulated in the lungs of urban asthmatic children in the Tel-Aviv area

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Abstract

Purpose

Lung inflammation from exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) may be responsible for morbidity in asthma, but several studies using environmental monitoring data showed inconsistent results. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of induced sputum (IS) technology in order to biologically monitor PM in the lungs of urban asthmatic children.

Methods

We collected clinical, demographic, biological and environmental monitoring data on 136 children referred for asthma evaluations. The study participants were divided into two groups according to IS eosinophil counts of <3 % (non-eosinophilic inflammation, n = 52) and ≥3 % (eosinophilic inflammation, n = 84).

Results

The eosinophilic group displays significantly higher levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide than the non-eosinophilic one (58.8 ± 47.5 vs 28.9 ± 34.2 ppm, p = 0.007). Particles (0–2.5 and 0–5 µm) comprised a strong risk factor for eosinophilic inflammation in IS (≥3 %). Children with >80 % of particles (0–2.5 µm) out of the total PM accumulated in the airways displayed the highest OR 10.7 (CI 2.052–56.4 p = 0.005) for an existing eosinophilic inflammation. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) enzyme levels in IS positively correlated with % eosinophils and with particles in IS ranging between 2 and 3 μm. The level of HO-1 enzyme activity and FEV1/FVC in children with <3 % eosinophils, but not ≥3 %, was positively and significantly correlated, showing a protective effect of HO-1.

Conclusion

Accumulation of PM involves oxidative stress pathways and is a risk factor for developing eosinophilic inflammation in asthmatic children. IS can biologically monitor this process.

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Acknowledgments

Esther Eshkol is thanked for editorial assistance.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Pulmonary and Allergic Diseases, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center Affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Elizabeth Fireman & Daria Bliznuk

  2. Allergy Unit, Pulmonology Department, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center Affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6 Weizman Street, 64239, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Elizabeth Fireman, Yehuda Schwarz & Shmuel Kivity

  3. Dana Children’s Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center Affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Ruth Soferman

  4. School of Public Health, Department of Occupational Environmental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Elizabeth Fireman & Daria Bliznuk

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  1. Elizabeth Fireman
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  2. Daria Bliznuk
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Correspondence to Elizabeth Fireman.

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Fireman, E., Bliznuk, D., Schwarz, Y. et al. Biological monitoring of particulate matter accumulated in the lungs of urban asthmatic children in the Tel-Aviv area. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 88, 443–453 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-014-0972-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-014-0972-3

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