Journal Article

Lung Function and Inflammatory Responses in Healthy Young Adults Exposed to 0.06 ppm Ozone for 6.6 Hours

Kim, Chong S., Rappold, Ana G., Hazucha, Milan J., Peden, David B., Alexis, Neil E., Schmitt, Mike T., Diaz-Sanchez, David, Devlin, Robert B., Kehrl, Howard, Lay, John C., Case, Martin

2011

Overview

Abstract Rationale Exposure to ozone causes a decrease in spirometric lung function and an increase in airway inflammation in healthy young adults at concentrations as low as 0.08 ppm, close to the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ground level ozone. Objectives To test whether airway effects occur below the current ozone standard and if they are more pronounced in potentially susceptible individuals, such as those deficient in the antioxidant gene glutathione S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1). Methods Pulmonary function and subjective symptoms were measured in 59 healthy young adults (19–35 yr) immediately before and after exposure to 0.0 (clean air, CA) and 0.06 ppm ozone for 6.6 hours in a chamber while undergoing intermittent moderate exercise. The polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) influx was measured in 24 subjects 16 to 18 hours postexposure. Measurements and Main Results Subjects experienced a significantly greater (P = 0.008) change in FEV1 (± SE) immediately after exposure to 0.06 ppm ozone compared with CA (−1.71 ± 0.50% vs. −0.002 ± 0.46%). The decrement in FVC was also greater (P = 0.02) after ozone versus CA (−2.32 ± 0.41% vs. −1.13 ± 0.34%). Similarly, changes in %PMN were greater after ozone (54.0 ± 4.6%) than CA (38.3 ± 3.7%) exposure (P < 0.001). Symptom scores were not different between ozone versus CA. There were no significant differences in changes in FEV1, FVC, and %PMN between subjects with GSTM1-positive and GSTM1-null genotypes. Conclusions Exposure of healthy young adults to 0.06 ppm ozone for 6.6 hours causes a significant decrement of FEV1 and an increase in neutrophilic inflammation in the airways. GSTM1 genotype alone appears to have no significant role in modifying the effects.

• Publisher: Oxford University Press,American Thoracic Society
• Subject: Adult / Air Pollutants - toxicity / Air pollution / D. Environmental and Occupational Lung Disease / Exercise / Female / Fitness equipment / Forced Expiratory Volume - drug effects / Genotype & phenotype / Glutathione Transferase - drug effects / Health care / Humans / Inflammation / Inflammation - physiopathology / Inhalation Exposure / Lung - drug effects / Lung - physiopathology / Male / Neutrophils - drug effects / Outdoor air quality / Ozone / Ozone - toxicity / Polymorphism / Reference Values / Respiratory Function Tests - methods / Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Spirometry / Time Factors / Vital Capacity - drug effects / Young Adult / Young adults