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1.
Mol Cell Biochem ; 447(1-2): 63-76, 2018 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29363060

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to examine whether chronic exposure to smoke during daily household cooking with biomass fuel (BMF) elicits changes in airway cytology and expressions of Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2 [NF-E2]-related factor 2 [Nrf2]), Keap1 (Kelch-like erythroid-cell-derived protein with CNC homology [ECH]-associated protein 1), and NQO1 (NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1) proteins in the airways. For this, 282 BMF-using women (median age 34 year) and 236 age-matched women who cooked with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) were enrolled. Particulate matter with diameters of < 10 µm (PM10) and < 2.5 µm (PM2.5) were measured in indoor air with real-time laser photometer. Routine hematology, sputum cytology, Nrf2, Keap1, NQO1, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) along with the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were measured in both groups. PM10 and PM2.5 levels were significantly higher in BMF-using households compared to LPG. Compared with LPG users, BMF users had 32% more leukocytes in circulation and their sputa were 1.4-times more cellular with significant increase in absolute number of neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and alveolar macrophages, suggesting airway inflammation. ROS generation was 1.5-times higher in blood neutrophils and 34% higher in sputum cells of BMF users while erythrocyte SOD was 31% lower and plasma catalase was relatively unchanged, suggesting oxidative stress. In BMF users, Keap1 expression was reduced, the percentage of AEC with nuclear expression of Nrf2 was two- to three-times more, and NQO1 level in sputum cell lysate was two-times higher than that of LPG users. In conclusion, cooking with BMF was associated with Nrf2 activation and elevated NQO1 protein level in the airways. The changes may be adaptive cellular response to counteract biomass smoke-elicited oxidative stress and inflammation-related tissue injury in the airways.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation , NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone)/biosynthesis , NF-E2-Related Factor 2/biosynthesis , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Oxidative Stress , Respiratory Mucosa/metabolism , Smoke Inhalation Injury/metabolism , Smoke/adverse effects , Adult , Female , Humans , Inflammation/etiology , Inflammation/metabolism , Inflammation/pathology , Respiratory Mucosa/pathology , Smoke Inhalation Injury/pathology
2.
Mol Cell Biochem ; 419(1-2): 193-203, 2016 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27421852

ABSTRACT

Millions of poor people in the developing world still thrive on ragpicking. In the present study, we have examined whether ragpicking is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. For this, we have enrolled 112 premenopausal female ragpickers (median age 30 years) and 98 age-matched housemaids as control from Kolkata, Eastern India. Venous blood was drawn for routine hematology; flow cytometry was used to measure generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by leukocytes, surface expression of CD62P (P-selectin) in platelets and CD11b in leukocytes. Collagen-induced platelet aggregation was evaluated by aggregometer, and erythrocytic superoxide dismutase (SOD) was measured by spectrophotometry. Soluble P-selectin (sP-sel) and CD40L (sCD40L), neutrophil-activating protein-2 (NAP-2), platelet and plasma serotonin, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), and anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) in plasma were measured by ELISA. Compared with control, the ragpickers had significantly higher prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension, and hypertension was positively associated with ragpicking. The ragpickers also had higher levels of inflammation (elevated NAP-2), oxidative stress (elevated ROS generation with depleted SOD) with oxLDL, platelet activation and aggregability, soluble CD40 ligand, with altered serotonin level (rose in plasma but depleted in platelet). A greater percentage of ragpickers had elevated serum level of aCL of the IgG and IgM isotypes than the controls. The results suggest that the occupation of ragpicking increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases in premenopausal women of Eastern India via inflammation, oxidative stress, platelet hyperactivity, and hypertension.


Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/blood , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Oxidative Stress , Platelet Activation , Adult , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Female , Humans , India/epidemiology , Inflammation/blood , Inflammation/epidemiology , Risk Factors
3.
J Appl Toxicol ; 36(7): 969-76, 2016 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26691826

ABSTRACT

The impact of indoor air pollution as a result of cooking with unprocessed biomass on membrane-bound and serum receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa ligand 1 (RANKL), its soluble decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) and osteoclast precursor CD14(+) CD16(+) monocytes was investigated. Seventy-four pre-menopausal women from eastern India using biomass and 65 control women who cooked with cleaner liquefied petroleum gas were enrolled. PM10 and PM2.5 levels in their indoor air were measured with real-time aerosol monitors. The levels of membrane-bound RANKL on leukocytes and percentage CD14(+) CD16(+) monocytes in the subjects' blood were assayed by flow cytometry. Soluble RANKL and OPG in serum were measured by ELISA. The results showed that PM10 and PM2.5 levels were significantly higher in the indoor air of biomass-using households. Compared with the control women, the levels of CD4(+) and CD19(+) lymphocytes and circulating granulocytes with elevated levels of membrane-bound RANKL were higher in biomass users. The serum levels of RANKL were increased by 41% whereas serum OPG was reduced by 22% among biomass users. The absolute number of CD14(+) CD16(+) monocytes was significantly increased in biomass users than the control women. After controlling for potential confounders, PM10 and PM2.5 levels were found to be positively associated with leukocyte and serum RANKL and CD14(+) CD16(+) monocyte levels, but negatively with serum OPG. From these results, we can conclude that chronic exposure to biomass smoke increased membrane-bound and soluble RANKL and circulating osteoclast precursors but decreased OPG, suggesting an increased risk of bone resorption and consequent osteoporosis in biomass-exposed women of a child-bearing age. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Subject(s)
Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects , Cooking , Environmental Exposure/adverse effects , RANK Ligand/metabolism , Adult , Body Mass Index , Female , Granulocytes/drug effects , Granulocytes/metabolism , Humans , India , Lymphocytes/drug effects , Lymphocytes/metabolism , Particulate Matter/blood , Particulate Matter/toxicity , Premenopause/blood , Premenopause/drug effects , RANK Ligand/genetics , Smoke/adverse effects , Socioeconomic Factors
4.
J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol ; 34(1): 35-51, 2015.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25746830

ABSTRACT

We evaluated AgNOR expression in airway epithelial cells (AECs) as a risk factor of lung carcinogenesis in 228 nonsmoking women exposed to biomass fuel (BMF). A total of 185 age-matched women who cooked with cleaner fuel (liquefied petroleum gas [LPG]) were enrolled as study controls. Compared with controls, Papanicolaou-stained sputum samples showed 4 and 8 times higher prevalence of metaplasia and dysplasia, respectively, in AECs of BMF users. AgNOR staining showed significantly larger numbers of dots and larger size and percentage of AgNOR-occupied nuclear area in normal AECs of BMF users than in controls. Interestingly, AgNOR parameters increased dramatically when the cells were transformed from normalcy to metaplasia and dysplasia. Compared with LPG users, BMF users showed a marked rise in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and a depletion of superoxide dismutase (SOD), indicating oxidative stress. Indoor air of BMF-using households had 2-5 times more particulate pollutants (PM10 and PM2.5), 73% more nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and 4 times more particulate-laden benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P], but no difference in sulfur dioxide was observed. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) study estimated a 6-fold rise in benzene metabolite trans, trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) in urine of BMF users. After controlling confounding factors using multivariate logistic regression, positive associations were observed between cellular changes, AgNOR parameters, and PM10, PM2.5, NO2, B(a)P, and t,t-MA levels, especially the concentration of B(a)P. In conclusion, cumulative exposure to biomass smoke causes oxidative stress and enhances AgNOR expression in precancerous metaplastic and dysplastic AECs and appears to be a risk factor for developing lung cancer.


Subject(s)
Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects , Antigens, Nuclear/analysis , Bronchi/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/etiology , Precancerous Conditions/complications , Smoke/adverse effects , Adult , Biomass , Bronchi/chemistry , Epithelial Cells/pathology , Female , Humans , Logistic Models , Metaplasia , Oxidative Stress , Particulate Matter/analysis , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Risk , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism
5.
Inhal Toxicol ; 26(14): 866-72, 2014 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25472477

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The impact of chronic exposure to smoke from biomass burning on respiratory health has been examined. METHODS: Six-hundred and eighty-one non-smoking women (median age 35 years) from eastern India who cook exclusively with biomass (wood, dung and crop residues) and 438 age-matched women from similar neighborhood who cook with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) were examined. Pulmonary function test was done by spirometry. The concentrations of particulate matter having diameter of < 10 µm (PM10) and < 2.5 µm (PM2.5) in indoor air was measured by real-time aerosol monitor. RESULTS: Compared with LPG users, biomass users had greater prevalence of upper (50.9 versus 28.5%) and lower respiratory symptoms (71.8 versus 30.8%) and dyspnea (58.4 versus 19.9%). They showed reduction in all parameters measured by spirometer especially in mid-expiratory volume. PM10 and PM2.5 concentration in biomass using kitchen were 2-3-times more than LPG-using kitchen, and the decline in spirometry values was positively associated PM10 and PM2.5 levels in indoor air after controlling education, family income and kitchen location as potential confounders. Overall, 29.7% of biomass users and 16.4% of LPG users had deficient lung function, and restrictive type of deficiency was predominant. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was diagnosed in 4.6% of biomass and 0.9% of LPG users. Women who predominantly used dung cake and did not possess separate kitchen had poorer lung function. CONCLUSION: Cumulative exposure to biomass smoke causes lung function decrement and facilitates COPD development even in non-smoking and relatively young pre-menopausal women.


Subject(s)
Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology , Smoke/adverse effects , Adult , Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis , Cooking , Female , Humans , India , Logistic Models , Multivariate Analysis , Particulate Matter/adverse effects , Premenopause , Prevalence , Spirometry , Ventilation , Young Adult
6.
Neurotoxicology ; 45: 159-67, 2014 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25451969

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of neurobehavioral symptoms (NBS) and depression has been investigated in premenopausal rural women of West Bengal, India enrolled from arsenic (As) endemic (groundwater As 11-50 µg/L; n = 342) and control areas (As level ≤ 10 µg/L; n = 312). The subjective symptoms questionnaire and Beck's 21-point depression inventory-II were used for the detection of NBS and depression, respectively. Platelet P-selectin expression was measured by flow cytometry, plasma neurotransmitter activity with high performance liquid chromatography and groundwater As level by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The As level in groundwater was 2.72 ± 1.18 µg/L in control and 28.3 ± 13.51 µg/L in endemic areas (p < 0.0001). Women residing in endemic areas demonstrated a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms (39.8 vs. 19.9%, p < 0.001) and anxiety (43.3 vs. 18.0% in control, p < 0.001), fatigue (68.4 vs. 23.4%, p < 0.0001), reduced sense of taste (15.8 vs. 4.5%, p<0.0001) and smell (14.9 vs. 5.8%, p < 0.001); burning sensation (36.8 vs. 5.4%, p < 0.0001) and tingling or numbness in the extremities (25.1 vs. 5.1%, p < 0.0001); and transient loss of memory (69.9 vs. 28.2%, p < 0.001). As-exposed women had 1.6-times more plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine (p < 0.05), 1.8-times higher level plasma serotonin with 28.9% lower intraplatelet serotonin (p < 0.05 for both), but their plasma dopamine level was not significantly different (p>0.05) from that of controls. Moreover, women from endemic areas had 2.3-times more P-selectin-expressing platelets in their circulation (p < 0.001). After controlling the potential confounders, chronic low level As (11-50 µg/L) exposure showed a positive association with the prevalence of neurobehavioral symptoms and depression among Indian women in their child-bearing age.


Subject(s)
Arsenic Poisoning/epidemiology , Blood Platelets/drug effects , Depression/epidemiology , Environmental Exposure , Neurotoxicity Syndromes/epidemiology , P-Selectin/metabolism , Adult , Catecholamines/blood , Depression/chemically induced , Female , Humans , India/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Nervous System Diseases/etiology , Prevalence , Serotonin/blood , Water Pollutants, Chemical , Young Adult
7.
Environ Toxicol Pharmacol ; 38(2): 341-52, 2014 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25128766

ABSTRACT

To investigate whether biomass burning causes oxidative DNA damage and alters the expression of DNA base excision repair (BER) proteins in airway cells, sputum samples were collected from 80 premenopausal rural biomass-users and 70 age-matched control women who cooked with liquefied petroleum gas. Compared with control the airway cells of biomass-users showed increased DNA damage in alkaline comet assay. Biomass-users showed higher percentage of cells expressing oxidative DNA damage marker 8-oxoguanine and lower percentages of BER proteins OGG1 and APE1 by immunocytochemical staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was doubled and level of superoxide dismutase was depleted significantly among biomass-users. The concentrations of particulate matters were higher in biomass-using households which positively correlated with ROS generation and negatively with BER proteins expressions. ROS generation was positively correlated with 8-oxoguanine and negatively with BER proteins suggesting cooking with biomass is a risk for genotoxicity among rural women in their child-bearing age.


Subject(s)
DNA Damage , Epithelial Cells/drug effects , Fossil Fuels/adverse effects , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Smoke/adverse effects , Sputum/drug effects , Adult , Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects , Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis , Biomass , Cooking , DNA Glycosylases/metabolism , DNA Repair , DNA-(Apurinic or Apyrimidinic Site) Lyase/metabolism , Epithelial Cells/metabolism , Female , Fossil Fuels/analysis , Guanine/analogs & derivatives , Guanine/metabolism , Humans , Oxidative Stress , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Smoke/analysis , Sputum/cytology , Sputum/metabolism , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism , Young Adult
8.
Int J Public Health ; 59(4): 655-63, 2014 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24879317

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The respiratory effects of chronic low-level arsenic exposure from groundwater have been investigated in West Bengal, India. METHODS: The participants (834 non-smoking adult males) were subdivided in two groups: an arsenic-exposed group (n = 446, mean age 35.3 years) drinking arsenic-contaminated groundwater (11-50 µg/L) and a control group of 388 age-matched men drinking water containing <10 µg/L of arsenic. Arsenic in water samples was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was documented by structured, validated questionnaire. Pulmonary function test (PFT) was assessed by portable spirometer. RESULTS: Compared with control, the arsenic-exposed subjects had higher prevalence of upper and lower respiratory symptoms, dyspnea, asthma, eye irritation and headache. Besides, 20.6% of arsenic-exposed subjects had lung function deficits (predominantly restrictive and combined types) compared with 13.6% of control (p < 0.05). A positive association was observed between arsenic concentration in drinking water and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, while a negative association existed between arsenic level and spirometric parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that even low-level arsenic exposure has deleterious respiratory effects.


Subject(s)
Arsenic Poisoning/epidemiology , Environmental Exposure/adverse effects , Environmental Illness/chemically induced , Environmental Monitoring/statistics & numerical data , Respiratory Insufficiency/chemically induced , Respiratory Insufficiency/epidemiology , Water Pollutants, Chemical/poisoning , Adult , Environmental Illness/epidemiology , Groundwater/analysis , Humans , India/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Respiratory Function Tests , Respiratory Insufficiency/diagnosis , Respiratory Insufficiency/physiopathology , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis
9.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int ; 21(4): 2826-36, 2014 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24146321

ABSTRACT

Biomass burning is a major source of indoor air pollution in rural India. This study examined whether chronic inhalation of biomass smoke causes change in the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) pathway in the airway cells. For this, airway cells exfoliated in sputum were collected from 72 premenopausal nonsmoking rural women (median age 34 years) who cooked with biomass (wood, dung, crop residues) and 68 control women who cooked with cleaner fuel liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for the past 5 years or more. The levels of particulate matters with diameters less than 10 and 2.5 µm (PM10 and PM2.5) in indoor air were measured by real-time aerosol monitor. Benzene exposure was monitored by measuring trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) in urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detector. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in airway cells were measured by flow cytometry and spectrophotometry, respectively. Immunocytochemical assay revealed lower percentage of airway epithelial cells expressing MMR proteins mutL homolog 1 (MLH1) and mutS homolog 2 (MSH2) in biomass-using women compared to LPG-using controls. Women who cooked with biomass had 6.7 times higher level of urinary t,t-MA, twofold increase in ROS generation, and 31 % depletion of SOD. Indoor air of biomass-using households had three times more particulate matters than that of controls. ROS, urinary t,t-MA, and particulate pollution in biomass-using kitchen had negative correlation, while SOD showed positive correlation with MSH2 and MLH1 expression. It appears that chronic exposure to biomass smoke reduces MMR response in airway epithelial cells, and oxidative stress plays an important role in the process.


Subject(s)
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism , Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects , Cooking , Epithelial Cells/drug effects , MutS Homolog 2 Protein/metabolism , Nuclear Proteins/metabolism , Smoke/adverse effects , Adult , Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis , Biomass , DNA Mismatch Repair , Environmental Monitoring , Epithelial Cells/chemistry , Epithelial Cells/metabolism , Female , Humans , India , MutL Protein Homolog 1 , Premenopause , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Smoke/analysis , Sorbic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Sorbic Acid/metabolism , Sputum/cytology , Sputum/metabolism , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism , Young Adult
10.
Int J Hyg Environ Health ; 216(3): 301-8, 2013 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22771078

ABSTRACT

To perform sputum analysis for verification of pulmonary changes in premenopausal rural Indian women chronically exposed to biomass smoke during cooking.Three consecutive morning sputum samples were collected from 196 women (median age 34 years) cooking with biomass and 149 age-matched control women cooking with cleaner fuel liquefied petroleum gas. Smears made on slides were stained with Papanicolaou and Perl's Prussian blue. Airway oxidative stress was estimated as reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation (by flow cytometry) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) level (by spectrophotometry) in sputum cells. Airway inflammation was measured as sputum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, -8 and tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α). Particulate matter of diameter less than 10 (PM10) was measured using laser photometer while benzene exposure was monitored by measuring trans, trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) in urine by HPLC-UV. Compared with control, sputum of biomass users contained more neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, alveolar macrophages, and showed presence of ciliocytophthoria, Charcot-Leyden crystals, Curschmann's spiral. ROS generation was increased by 2-fold while SOD was depleted by 31% in biomass users. They also had higher sputum levels of IL-6, -8 and TNF-α. Levels of PM10 and t,t-MA were 2.9- and 5.8-times higher in biomass-using women. PM10 and t,t-MA levels were positively associated with cellular changes in the sputum, markers of airway inflammation, and oxidative stress. Cooking with biomass alters sputum cytology, and increases airway inflammation and oxidative stress that might result in further amplification of the tissue damaging cascade in women chronically exposed to biomass smoke.


Subject(s)
Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects , Cooking , Oxidative Stress , Pneumonia/metabolism , Sputum/cytology , Adult , Air Pollutants/adverse effects , Air Pollutants/analysis , Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis , Biomass , Female , Humans , India/epidemiology , Inhalation Exposure , Manure , Pneumonia/pathology , Premenopause , Reactive Oxygen Species/analysis , Rural Population , Smoke/adverse effects , Smoke/analysis , Sputum/chemistry , Superoxide Dismutase , Wood , Young Adult
11.
J Appl Toxicol ; 33(4): 281-9, 2013 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22131134

ABSTRACT

This study examined whether indoor air pollution from biomass fuel burning induces DNA damage in airway cells. For this, sputum cells were collected from 56 premenopausal rural women who cooked with biomass (wood, dung, crop residues) and 49 age-matched controls who cooked with cleaner liquefied petroleum gas. The levels of particulate matters with diameters of less than 10 and 2.5 µm (PM(10) and PM(2.5)) in indoor air were measured using a real-time aerosol monitor. Benzene exposure was monitored by measuring trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) in urine by HPLC-UV. DNA damage was examined by alkaline comet assay in sputum cells. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in sputum cells were measured by flow cytometry and spectrophotometry, respectively. Compared with controls, biomass users had 4 times higher tail percentage DNA, 37% more comet tail length and 5 times more Olive tail moment (p < 0.001) in inflammatory and epithelial cells in sputum, suggesting extensive DNA damage. In addition, women who cooked with biomass had 6 times higher levels of urinary t,t-MA and 2-fold higher levels of ROS generation concomitant with 28% depletion of SOD. Indoor air of biomass-using households had 2-4 times more PM(10) and PM(2.5) than that of controls. After controlling potential confounders, positive association was found between DNA damage parameters, particulate pollution, urinary t,t-MA and ROS. Thus, long-term exposure to biomass smoke induces DNA damage in airway cells and the effect was probably mediated, at least in part, by oxidative stress generated by inhaled particulate matter and benzene.


Subject(s)
Air Pollutants/toxicity , Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects , Benzene/toxicity , Biomass , Respiratory Mucosa/drug effects , Smoke/adverse effects , Adult , Comet Assay , Cooking/methods , DNA Damage , Environmental Exposure , Environmental Monitoring , Female , Fossil Fuels/adverse effects , Humans , Premenopause , Respiratory Mucosa/pathology , Time Factors
12.
Sci Total Environ ; 438: 293-8, 2012 Nov 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23010103

ABSTRACT

Changes in cells of the immune system are important indicators of systemic response of the body to air pollution. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunological changes in rural women who have been cooking exclusively with biomass for the past 5 years or more and compare the findings with women cooking exclusively with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the associations between indices of indoor air pollution (IAP) and a set of immune assays. Biomass users illustrated marked suppression in the total number of T-helper (CD4+) cells and B (CD19+) cells while appreciable rise was documented in the number of CD8+ T-cytotoxic cells and CD16+CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells. A consistent finding among biomass users was rise in regulatory T (Treg) cells. Among biomass users, peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations, Treg cells, and the number of typical monocytes (CD16-CD64+ cells), antigen presenting types (CD16+CD64- cells) and plasmacytoid cells (CD16-CD64- cells) were found to be significantly altered in those who daily cooked with dung in comparison to wood and crop residue users (p<0.05). Biomass users who cooked in kitchens adjacent to their living areas had significant changes in peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations, typical monocytes (CD16-CD64+) with high phagocytic activity and antigen presenting monocytes (CD16+CD64-) against women who cooked in separate kitchens (p<0.01). This study has shown that women who cooked exclusively with biomass fuel had alterations in immune defense compared with their neighbors who cooked with LPG.


Subject(s)
Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects , B-Lymphocytes/drug effects , Biofuels/toxicity , Cooking , Killer Cells, Natural/drug effects , Propane/toxicity , T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/drug effects , Adult , Antigen-Presenting Cells/drug effects , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Phagocytosis/drug effects , Rural Health
13.
Aust J Rural Health ; 20(4): 219-25, 2012 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22827431

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To find out the prevalence of hypertension, pre-hypertension and tachycardia among the women in rural areas of West Bengal, identify co-factors associated with the prevalence and contribute to the body of evidence for future health programs to identify at-risk groups. DESIGN: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted. SETTING: The study was conducted in remote villages. PARTICIPANTS: 1186 women participants, aged 18 years or more were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: They were interviewed using standard structured questionnaire. Blood pressure and tachycardia was monitored using digital sphygmomanometer. For each participant, we made two blood pressure measurements with an interval of 48 hours. Data was analysed statistically using SPSS software. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of hypertension in the study subjects was 24.7% and that of pre-hypertension and tachycardia was 40.8% and 6.4%, respectively. Both hypertension and pre-hypertension were seen to increase with age. Other identified significant factors were use of biomass fuel for cooking, absence of separate kitchen, higher body mass index (BMI), education and average family income. CONCLUSION: This study suggests quite high prevalence of hypertension as well as pre-hypertension among the women of rural areas. The findings are significant from the women health perspectives. Early detection of pre-hypertensive and hypertensive subjects will help to formulate intervention strategies to allay the spread of cardiovascular diseases.


Subject(s)
Hypertension/epidemiology , Prehypertension/epidemiology , Rural Health/statistics & numerical data , Tachycardia/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Body Mass Index , Cooking/methods , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Fuel Oils/adverse effects , Fuel Oils/classification , Humans , Hypertension/diagnosis , India/epidemiology , Interviews as Topic , Middle Aged , Prehypertension/diagnosis , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Socioeconomic Factors , Tachycardia/diagnosis , Young Adult
14.
Toxicol Appl Pharmacol ; 261(3): 255-62, 2012 Jun 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22521606

ABSTRACT

The study was undertaken to investigate whether regular cooking with biomass aggravates systemic inflammation and oxidative stress that might result in increase in the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in rural Indian women compared to cooking with a cleaner fuel like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). A total of 635 women (median age 36 years) who cooked with biomass and 452 age-matched control women who cooked with LPG were enrolled. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were measured by ELISA. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by leukocytes was measured by flow cytometry, and erythrocytic superoxide dismutase (SOD) was measured by spectrophotometry. Hypertension was diagnosed following the Seventh Report of the Joint Committee. Tachycardia was determined as pulse rate >100 beats per minute. Particulate matter of diameter less than 10 and 2.5 µm (PM10 and PM2.5, respectively) in cooking areas was measured using real-time aerosol monitor. Compared with control, biomass users had more particulate pollution in indoor air, their serum contained significantly elevated levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and CRP, and ROS generation was increased by 37% while SOD was depleted by 41.5%, greater prevalence of hypertension and tachycardia compared to their LPG-using neighbors. PM10 and PM2.5 levels were positively associated with markers of inflammation, oxidative stress and hypertension. Inflammatory markers correlated with raised blood pressure. Cooking with biomass exacerbates systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, hypertension and tachycardia in poor women cooking with biomass fuel and hence, predisposes them to increased risk of CVD development compared to the controls. Systemic inflammation and oxidative stress may be the mechanistic factors involved in the development of CVD.


Subject(s)
Biofuels , Biomass , Inflammation/epidemiology , Inflammation/pathology , Oxidative Stress/physiology , Adult , Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Cross-Sectional Studies , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Flow Cytometry , Heart Rate/drug effects , Humans , India/epidemiology , Inflammation Mediators/blood , Middle Aged , Particulate Matter/analysis , Poverty , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Rural Population , Sample Size , Seasons , Smoke/adverse effects , Socioeconomic Factors , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism , Young Adult
15.
Toxicol Appl Pharmacol ; 259(1): 45-53, 2012 Feb 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22178738

ABSTRACT

The impact of indoor air pollution (IAP) from biomass fuel burning on the risk of carcinogenesis in the airways has been investigated in 187 pre-menopausal women (median age 34years) from eastern India who cooked exclusively with biomass and 155 age-matched control women from same locality who cooked with cleaner fuel liquefied petroleum gas. Compared with control, Papanicolau-stained sputum samples showed 3-times higher prevalence of metaplasia and 7-times higher prevalence of dysplasia in airway epithelial cell (AEC) of biomass users. Immunocytochemistry showed up-regulation of phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt(ser473) and p-Akt(thr308)) proteins in AEC of biomass users, especially in metaplastic and dysplastic cells. Compared with LPG users, biomass-using women showed marked rise in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and depletion of antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD) indicating oxidative stress. There were 2-5 times more particulate pollutants (PM(10) and PM(2.5)), 72% more nitrogen dioxide and 4-times more particulate-laden benzo(a)pyrene, but no change in sulfur dioxide in indoor air of biomass-using households, and high performance liquid chromatography estimated 6-fold rise in the concentration of benzene metabolite trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) in urine of biomass users. Metaplasia and dysplasia, p-Akt expression and ROS generation were positively associated with PM and t,t-MA levels. It appears that cumulative exposure to biomass smoke increases the risk of lung carcinogenesis via oxidative stress-mediated activation of Akt signal transduction pathway.


Subject(s)
Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects , Biofuels , Epithelial Cells/enzymology , Lung Neoplasms/etiology , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , Rural Population , Adult , Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis , Antioxidants/metabolism , Cooking , Enzyme Activation , Epithelial Cells/pathology , Female , Humans , India , Inhalation Exposure/adverse effects , Inhalation Exposure/analysis , Logistic Models , Lung Neoplasms/enzymology , Lung Neoplasms/epidemiology , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Particle Size , Particulate Matter/chemistry , Particulate Matter/toxicity , Particulate Matter/urine , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Risk , Signal Transduction , Socioeconomic Factors , Sputum/cytology , Surveys and Questionnaires
16.
Inflammation ; 35(2): 671-83, 2012 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21769440

ABSTRACT

The possibility of inflammation and neutrophil activation in response to indoor air pollution (IAP) from biomass fuel use has been investigated. For this, 142 premenopausal, never-smoking women (median age, 34 years) who cook exclusively with biomass (wood, dung, crop wastes) and 126 age-matched control women who cook with cleaner fuel liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) were enrolled. The neutrophil count in blood and sputum was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in biomass users than the control group. Flow cytometric analysis revealed marked increase in the surface expression of CD35 (complement receptor-1), CD16 (F(C)γ receptor III), and ß(2) Mac-1 integrin (CD11b/CD18) on circulating neutrophils of biomass users. Besides, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that they had 72%, 67%, and 54% higher plasma levels of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-12, respectively, and doubled neutrophil chemoattractant interleukin-8. Immunocytochemical study revealed significantly higher percentage of airway neutrophils expressing inducible nitric oxide synthase, while the serum level of nitric oxide was doubled in women who cooked with biomass. Spectrophotometric analysis documented higher myeloperoxidase activity in circulating neutrophils of biomass users, suggesting neutrophil activation. Flow cytometry showed excess generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by leukocytes of biomass-using women, whereas their erythrocytes contained a depleted level of antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD). Indoor air of biomass-using households had two to four times more particulate matter with diameters of <10 µm (PM(10)) and <2.5 µm (PM(2.5)) as measured by real-time laser photometer. After controlling potential confounders, rise in proinflammatory mediators among biomass users were positively associated with PM(10) and PM(2.5) in indoor air, suggesting a close relationship between IAP and neutrophil activation. Besides, the levels of neutrophil activation and inflammation markers were positively associated with generation of ROS and negatively with SOD, indicating a role of oxidative stress in mediating neutrophilic inflammatory response following chronic inhalation of biomass smoke.


Subject(s)
Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects , Biofuels/adverse effects , Neutrophil Activation , Neutrophils/immunology , Oxidative Stress , Particulate Matter/analysis , Premenopause , Adult , CD11b Antigen/metabolism , CD18 Antigens/metabolism , Female , Humans , Inflammation/immunology , Interleukins/blood , Leukocyte Count , Nitric Oxide/blood , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism , Particulate Matter/metabolism , Peroxidase/biosynthesis , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Receptors, Complement 3b/metabolism , Receptors, IgG/metabolism , Smoke/adverse effects , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood , Young Adult
17.
Anal Quant Cytol Histol ; 33(1): 50-9, 2011 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22125846

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of indoor air pollution from biomass fuel use on ribosome biogenesis in airway cells and peripheral blood leukocytes using the argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) staining technique. STUDY DESIGN: Biomass users were represented by 78 never-smoking, premenopausal women from rural India and a control group of 73 age-matched women who cooked with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). For silver staining, exfoliated airway cells and circulating lymphocytes and neutrophils were obtained from expectorated sputum and venous blood smears, respectively. Particulate pollution in indoor air was measured by real-time aerosol monitor. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, a statistically significant increase was observed in mean number of AgNOR dots per nucleus, their size, and the percentage of NOR-occupied nuclear area in exfoliated airway epithelial cells, airway neutrophils, and circulating lymphocytes and neutrophils of biomass users. Biomass-using households had 2 to 4 times more particulate pollutants than that of LPG-using households; the changes in AgNOR expression, especially in proliferating basal cells, were positively associated with PM10 and PM2.5 levels in indoor air after controlling potential confounders such as age, kitchen location, and family income. CONCLUSION: Indoor air pollution from biomass fuel use upregulates ribosome biogenesis in both the airways and peripheral blood.


Subject(s)
Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects , Antigens, Nuclear/metabolism , Biofuels/adverse effects , Neutrophils/metabolism , Respiratory Mucosa/metabolism , Smoke/adverse effects , Adult , Antigens, Nuclear/blood , Cooking , Female , Hazardous Substances/adverse effects , Humans , India , Natural Gas , Sputum/metabolism
18.
Int J Hyg Environ Health ; 214(4): 311-8, 2011 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21550302

ABSTRACT

Genotoxicity of indoor air pollution from biomass burning was evaluated in buccal epithelial cells (BECs) of 85 pre-menopausal Indian women who were engaged in cooking with biomass (wood, dung, crop residues) and 76 age-matched control women who were cooking with cleaner fuel liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). DNA damage was evaluated by comet assay and fast halo assay (FHA). The concentrations of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters of less than 10 and 2.5 µm (PM(10) and PM(2.5), respectively) in indoor air were measured by real-time aerosol monitor. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured by flow cytometry and the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) by spectrophotometry. Compared with control, BEC of biomass users illustrated 2.6-times higher comet tail % DNA (32.2 vs. 12.4, p < 0.001), 2.7-times greater comet tail length (37.8 µm vs. 14.2 µm, p < 0.001) and 2.2-times more olive tail moment (7.1 vs. 3.2, p < 0.001), suggesting marked increase in DNA damage. FHA also showed 5-times more mean nuclear diffusion factor (9.2 vs. 1.8, p < 0.0001) in BEC of biomass users, confirming sharp rise in DNA single strand breaks. Airway cells of biomass-using women showed 51% rise in ROS generation but 28% reduction in SOD, suggesting oxidative stress in the airways. Indoor air of biomass-using households had 3-times more PM(10) and PM(2.5) than LPG-using families, and DNA damage showed positive association with PM(10) and PM(2.5) levels controlling education, kitchen location and family income as potential confounders. In summary, chronic inhalation of biomass smoke elicits oxidative stress and extensive DNA damage in BEC.


Subject(s)
Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects , DNA Damage , Environmental Exposure/analysis , Mouth Mucosa/drug effects , Particulate Matter/toxicity , Smoke/adverse effects , Adult , Biomass , Comet Assay , DNA Mutational Analysis/methods , Epithelial Cells/drug effects , Female , Flow Cytometry , Humans , India , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Particle Size , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism
19.
Mutat Res ; 721(2): 178-83, 2011 Apr 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21281739

ABSTRACT

Genotoxicity of glue sniffing/huffing and tobacco use has been examined in 302 street boys (median age 13 years) and 50 age-matched control school boys who were neither tobacco nor glue users. All the street boys were tobacco users. In addition, 155 were addicted to gasp an industrial adhesive popularly known as 'Golden glue'. Micronucleus (MN) frequency was determined as a measure of chromosomal breakage in exfoliated buccal epithelial cells (BECs) and DNA double strand breaks were quantitatively assessed by counting γ-H2AX foci using immunofluorescence microscopy. Micronucleated cell frequencies (MCFs) in BEC of glue non-addicted (only tobacco) and addicted (tobacco plus glue) street boys were 1.87 ± 1.06‰ and 4.04 ± 2.55‰ respectively, which were significantly higher than that of control (0.32 ± 0.11‰, p<0.0001). Similarly, the numbers γ-H2AX foci in nuclei of BEC were 2.3- and 5.2-times more than control in glue non-addicted and addicted street boys respectively (p<0.0001). Spearman's rank correlation revealed a strong positive association between years of glue addiction with MCFs and γ-H2AX foci numbers, and the association between glue addiction and chromosomal and DNA damage remained positive and significant after controlling income, spending on addiction and loss of appetite as potential confounders in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Thus, addiction to tobacco among the street children in India is associated with chromosomal and DNA damage in BECs and the severity of these changes is significantly increased by the habit of sniffing/huffing of industrial glue.


Subject(s)
Behavior, Addictive/genetics , Inhalant Abuse/complications , Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective/drug effects , Mouth/cytology , Adolescent , Cheek , Child , DNA Damage , Epithelial Cells/drug effects , Homeless Youth , Humans , India , Male
20.
Exp Toxicol Pathol ; 63(7-8): 677-81, 2011 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20541922

ABSTRACT

The effect of glue snuffle on the expression of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs), an indicator of ribosome biosynthesis, in epithelial cells of oral mucosa has been investigated. AgNOR was evaluated by cytochemical staining in 148 Indian street boys (median age 12 year) who had different bad addictions like tobacco smoking, chewing and most importantly inhaling glue and 20 age- and body mass index-matched school boys who had no such type of bad habit. Compared with school boys, glue addicted street boys showed remarkably increased number of AgNOR dots per nucleus (9.38±1.84 vs. 3.12±0.87, p<0.001), AgNOR size (1.34±0.52 vs. 0.43±0.02 µm(2), p<0.001) and percentage of AgNOR occupied nuclear area (9.38±2.12 vs. 0.99±0.03%, p<0.001). Increase in number and size of the dots is also higher in tobacco smokers and chewers when compared with school boys but a remarkable difference was recorded in glue addicted boys. The changes in AgNOR expression were positively associated with years of addiction after controlling potential confounders. Thus, glue snuffle appeared to be a risk factor for abnormal cell growth via up-regulation of ribosome biogenesis.


Subject(s)
Adhesives/toxicity , Antigens, Nuclear/analysis , Epithelial Cells/drug effects , Homeless Youth , Inhalant Abuse , Mouth Mucosa/drug effects , Adolescent , Cell Nucleus/drug effects , Cheek , Child , Epithelial Cells/pathology , Humans , Inhalation Exposure , Male , Mouth Mucosa/pathology
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