Abstract
The respiratory effects of O3 are well established. High ambient O3 concentrations are associated with respiratory symptoms, declines in pulmonary function, asthma exacerbations, and even mortality. The metabolic effects of O3 are less well appreciated. Here we review data indicating that O3 exposure leads to glucose intolerance and hyperlipidemia, characteristics of the metabolic syndrome. We also review the role of stress hormones in these events. We describe how the metabolic effects of O3, including effects within the lungs, are exacerbated in the setting of the metabolic derangements of obesity and we discuss epidemiological data indicating an association between ambient O3 exposure and diabetes. We conclude by describing the role of the gut microbiome in the regulation of metabolism and by discussing data indicating a link between the gut microbiome and pulmonary responses to O3.
Highlights
Ozone (O3) is an air pollutant produced by exposure of automobile exhaust to sunlight
Acute O3 exposure causes endocrine and metabolic changes similar to those observed during fasting: stress hormones are released and act on the liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle countering the effects of insulin and promoting lipolysis, providing a ready source of energy
Albeit attenuated effects are observed in rodents after repeated exposures at lower concentrations of O3, an exposure paradigm that perhaps better reflects human exposures to ambient O3
Summary
The respiratory effects of O3 are well established. High ambient O3 concentrations are associated with respiratory symptoms, declines in pulmonary function, asthma exacerbations, and even mortality. The metabolic effects of O3 are less well appreciated. We review data indicating that O3 exposure leads to glucose intolerance and hyperlipidemia, characteristics of the metabolic syndrome. We review the role of stress hormones in these events. We describe how the metabolic effects of O3, including effects within the lungs, are exacerbated in the setting of the metabolic derangements of obesity and we discuss epidemiological data indicating an association between ambient O3 exposure and diabetes. We conclude by describing the role of the gut microbiome in the regulation of metabolism and by discussing data indicating a link between the gut microbiome and pulmonary responses to O3.
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