Association of Urinary 1-OHP Concentration with Childhood Asthma

Abstract

Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known for their carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic properties. However, little is known about the effect of PAH on the development of asthma in children. Aims: To address the effect of PAH exposure on the development of sensitization and asthma by objective urine biomarker (1-OHP) at different ages. Methods: A total of 453 children from the Taiwan Childhood Environment and Allergic diseases Study (TCEAS) cohort with urine samples were recruited. Urine 1-OHP levels at age 3 and 6, as an indicator of exposure, were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). At age 3 and 6, information on serum IgE levels and the development of asthma was collected. The association between 1-OHP levels at different stages and IgE levels and asthma was evaluated by multivariate linear regression and logistic regression. Results: The geometric mean levels of 1-OHP at age 3 were higher than those at age 6 (5.71 vs 4.74µg/g creatinine). 1-OHP levels at age 3 positively correlated with serum IgE levels (per ln-unit: ß=55.81 KU/l, p=0.04). Interestingly, analyses stratified by gender revealed that 1-OHP levels positively correlated with IgE only in girls (per ln-unit: ß=131.63 KU/l, p=0.02). Urine 1-OHP levels at age 3 significantly associated with asthma at age 3 and age 6 with OR(95% CI) of 3.18(1.87-5.42) and 2.54(1.45-4.44) for the highest tertile compared with lowest tertile. However, 1-OHP levels at age 6 did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Exposure to PAH at young age is associated with the development of sensitization and asthma in children.