Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) exposure and metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) are both significant global health burdens. PM exposure has been implicated in the pathogenesis of MetSyn and cardiopulmonary diseases. Individuals with pre-existing MetSyn may be more susceptible to the detrimental effects of PM exposure. Our aim was to provide a narrative review of MetSyn/PM-induced systemic inflammation in cardiopulmonary disease, with a focus on prior studies of the World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed Fire Department of New York (FDNY). We included studies (1) published within the last 16-years; (2) described the epidemiology of MetSyn, obstructive airway disease (OAD), and vascular disease in PM-exposed individuals; (3) detailed the known mechanisms of PM-induced inflammation, MetSyn and cardiopulmonary disease; and (4) focused on the effects of PM exposure in WTC-exposed FDNY firefighters. Several investigations support that inhalation of PM elicits pulmonary and systemic inflammation resulting in MetSyn and cardiopulmonary disease. Furthermore, individuals with these preexisting conditions are more sensitive to PM exposure-related inflammation, which can exacerbate their conditions and increase their risk for hospitalization and chronic disease. Mechanistic research is required to elucidate biologically plausible therapeutic targets of MetSyn- and PM-induced cardiopulmonary disease.
Highlights
Cardiopulmonary disease caused by ambient particulate matter exposure accounts for 7 million deaths globally each year [1–3]
Overweight adults living in the same area experienced increases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP); no PM2.5 -related BP changes were found in locations where ambient PM2.5 concentrations remained low; this study suggests increased PM2.5 exposure promotes elevations in BP
We have shown that elevated soluble receptor for an advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) are associated with World Trade Center (WTC)-LI in firefighters exposed to WTC-Particulate matter (PM) and mice are deficient in RAGE are protected from the adverse pulmonary effects [12]
Summary
Cardiopulmonary disease caused by ambient particulate matter exposure accounts for 7 million deaths globally each year [1–3]. The aim of this review article is to provide an up-to-date overview of the epidemiological and biological mechanism of PM-induced systemic inflammation in MetSyn, obstructive lung disease, and CVD. A cohort of firefighters that was exposed to World Trade Center Particulate Matter (WTC-PM) has been identified as having metabolically active biomarkers associated with the development of WTC-lung. We discuss the relationship between PM exposure and MetSyn in the WTC-exposed FDNY firefighters. Studies were included in our narrative review if they: (1) described the coexistence of MetSyn, cardiopulmonary disease and PM exposure, (2) detailed the mechanisms of PM-induced inflammation within these diseases, or (3) focused on the effects of PM-exposure in WTC-exposed. Limitations of this study design include: (1) use of only the PubMed database, (2) the fact that it is not a systematic review, and (3) performing a full meta-analysis of the obtained data is limited
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