Abstract
There is evidence that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and human gut microbiota are associated with the modulation of endocrine signaling pathways. Independently, studies have found associations between air pollution, land cover and commensal microbiota. We are the first to estimate the interaction between land cover categories associated with air pollution or purification, PAH levels and endocrine signaling predicted from gut metagenome among urban and rural populations.The study participants were elderly people (65–79 years); 30 lived in rural and 32 in urban areas. Semi-Permeable Membrane devices were utilized to measure air PAH concentrations as they simulate the process of bioconcentration in the fatty tissues. Land cover categories were estimated using CORINE database and geographic information system. Functional orthologues for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pathway in endocrine system were analyzed from gut bacterial metagenome with Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes.High coverage of broad-leaved and mixed forests around the homes were associated with decreased PAH levels in ambient air, while gut functional orthologues for PPAR pathway increased along with these forest types. The difference between urban and rural PAH concentrations was not notable. However, some rural measurements were higher than the urban average, which was due to the use of heavy equipment on active farms.The provision of air purification by forests might be an important determining factor in the context of endocrine disruption potential of PAHs. Particularly broad-leaved forests around homes may reduce PAH levels in ambient air and balance pollution-induced disturbances within commensal gut microbiota.
Highlights
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAH compounds are ubiquitous pollutants in the environment as they are formed during incomplete combustion or pyrolysis of carbonaceous material
Since PAH exposure causes a variety of health risks, ranging from carcinogenic and mutagenic changes to endocrine disruption, they have been classified as priority environmental pollutants by several authorities, including the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) (Bostro€m et al, 2002; Kamal et al, 2015; Kim et al, 2013)
The general purpose of this study was to examine potential associations between land cover categories associated with air pollution or purification, PAH levels in ambient air and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pathway in endocrine system predicted from gut bacterial metagenome
Summary
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAH compounds are ubiquitous pollutants in the environment as they are formed during incomplete combustion or pyrolysis of carbonaceous material. They are emitted to the atmosphere from many anthropogenic sources the most common being traffic, heating, and industrial processes (Bostro€m et al, 2002). A few studies have determined these practices have a major impact on local ambient PAH concentrations (Noth et al, 2011; Sevimoglu and Rogge, 2016). Very few studies have commented on the role that the use of heavy agricultural or grain drying machinery plays in rural PAH concentrations, even though agriculture has been reported as a major source of particulate matter PAHs in Europe (Lelieveld et al, 2015). There is need to examine potential associations between active farming and PAHs levels in ambient air
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