Exposure of scented candle combustion aerosol on stress-induced cadiopulmonary injury

Abstract

Background: Social stress may induce cardiopulmonary injury by disrupting the body’s homeostasis. Scented candles have been used to relieve stress. However, numerous air pollutants produced from burning scented candles may cause poor health outcomes. Aims: To investigate effects of scented candle combustion products exposure on social stress-induced cardiopulmonary injury in mice. Methods: Mice with social disruption stress (SDR) were exposed to combustion products of 3% lavender scented candles (4.5 h/d, 5 d/wk) in an exposure chamber for different time course (4 or 8 wk). Results: Exposure to combustion products of scented candle failed to reduce serum corticosterone level in SDR-treated mice in 4 and 8 weeks. Exposure to combustion products of scented candle time-dependently enhanced SDR-induced pulmonary edema, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, interleukin (IL)-1beta levels, and nuclear factor (NF)-kB activity in lung. Further, combustion products of scented candle time-dependently increased lactic dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, and heart type creatine kinase isoenzyme levels in serum, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha, and B-type natriuretic peptide levels in SDR-treated mice. Conclusions: Exposure to combustion products of 3% lavender scented candle may time-dependently exacerbated social stress-induced cardiopulmonary injury.