Particulate Matter In Air Pollution Linked To Autism!

When it comes to figuring out the environmental causes of developmental problems in kids, the landscape is tricky. But a new study has found that exposure to certain types of air pollution early in childhood can significantly raise the risk of developing symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Read more.

Poor Air Quality Is Actually Linked to Autism, New Study Shows. MIKE MCRAE. ScienceAlert.com 7 NOV 2018

Particulate Matter in Pollution Exacerbates Environmental Illness via the Nrf2 Pathway!

In the past, I have made several post on particulate matter and how pollution may negatively influence the main environmental illnesses chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivity. It is believe that what these conditions have in common is higher than normal oxidative stress and higher levels of inflammation. In addition, I believe that deficiencies in the Nrf2 pathway may exacerbate the conditions.

Through the discoveries from a study on dendritic cells, more has been learned about how Nrf2 and particulate matter interact to lessen or contribute to disease. Dendritic cells are an important part of the antigen-presenting immune system. The author writes that exposure to particulate matter in an Nrf2 deficient environment leads to 1) impairment of antigen endocytosis 2) significantly higher levels of oxidative stress probably due to lower levels of antioxidants like GCL and HO-1 3) higher levels of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-a and Il-6 4) lower levels of Il-18 4) less sensitivity to NAC and 5) Nrf2 deficiency may influence Th2 cytokine development leading to allergic diseases. (1)

This study provides clues to how particulate matter may influence the development of higher than normal levels of oxidative stress. People with conditions that already have conditions where these levels are higher should be aware that exposure to pollution indoors and outdoors may make their symptoms worse. In addition, we previously have written that many things can cause deficiency in the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway. This includes genetic factors, direct chemical exposure, changes to the microbiome and high fat diets.


1. Disruption of the transcription factor Nrf2 promotes pro-oxidative dendritic cells that stimulate Th2-like immunoresponsiveness upon activation by ambient particulate matter. Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950), Vol. 181, No. 7. (01 October 2008), pp. 4545-4559 by Marc A. Williams, Tirumalai Rangasamy, Stephen M. Bauer, et al.

Fine Particulate Air Pollution Linked to Autism!

"Exposure to fine particulate air pollution during pregnancy through the first two years of the child's life may be associated with an increased risk of a child developing autism spectrum disorder, a condition that affects one in 68 children, according to an investigation of children in southwestern Pennsylvania."

 University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences. (2015, May 21). Fine particulate air pollution linked to risk of childhood autism. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 22, 2015 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150521121049.htm

Olive Oil Reduces Endothelial Dysfunction from Particulate Matter!

Short-term exposure to ambient particulate matter was negatively correlated with poor markers for endothelial function. Supplementation with olive oil reduced the negative effects of particulate matter on endothelial function compared to supplementation with fish oil.

Dietary Supplementation with Olive Oil or Fish Oil and Vascular Effects of Concentrated Ambient Particulate Matter Exposure in Human Volunteers. Environmental health perspectives (1 May 2015) by Haiyan Tong, Ana G. Rappold, Melissa Caughey, et al. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/13605070

Green Tea Catechins May Protect Cells From Particulate Matter!

 

       I have discussed Nrf2 and how its downregulation may be related to at least some symptoms of environmental illness, including MCS. The Nrf2 is a master regulator of the cell's antioxidant system. It regulates over 400 genes including those genes for HO-1, PGC-1a and others like SOD and catalase. Downregulation of Nrf2 has been linked to a variety of diseases including autoimmune disease, environmental illness, aging, type 2 diabetes and cancer. In addition, upregulation has also been linked to cancer which is why most often Nrf2 supplementation in not advised. There is a variety of foods that are known as Nrf2 activators, which upregulate Nrf2 for only a short period of time. Many of the Nrf2 activators are high in polyphenols including EGCG. A catechin found in green tea.
      In other studies, EGCG has been shown to be protective against cardiovascular disease.
 In this new study, Yang et al.

"used EGCG to determine its impact on oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction from particulate matter (PM2.5) on a model for endothelial cells. During the study, PM2.5 in HUVAC cells caused oxidative stress and cell death which were inhibited in the presence of EGCG. Also, it was demonstrated that both Nrf2 and HO-1 was upregulated by EGCG. This provides evidence that EGCG may protect cells from environmental damage from particulate matter." (Yang) 

      While the above study is an experimental model using EGCG, it is important to note that epithelial tissue lines the esophagus and digestive tract and the lungs.  Drinking green tea has been shown in other studies to reduce the prevalence of some digestive system cancer including Barrett's esophagus.(Rejuvenation Science)

Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Protects HUVECs from PM2.5-Induced Oxidative Stress Injury by Activating Critical Antioxidant Pathways. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), Vol. 20, No. 4., pp. 6626-6639 by Guang-Zhao Z. Yang, Zhao-Jun J. Wang, Feng Bai, et al.  http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/13584172

Green Tea Exhibits Anticancer Effect in Barrett's Associated Esophageal Adenocarcinoma. Rejuvenation Science. http://www.rejuvenation-science.com/n_green-tea_cancer.html

For further reading: How Activation of Antioxidant System Nrf2 Reverses Endothelial Dysfunction in Vascular Disease and Environmental Illness!