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Air pollution related prothrombotic changes in persons with diabetes
Lotte Jacobs1, Jan Emmerechts, Chantal Mathieu
1Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Unit of Lung Toxicology, Katholique Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Environmental Health Perspectives
|February 4, 2010
Summary
Particulate matter (PM) air pollution increases blood clotting tendency in diabetic individuals, indicating a prothrombotic effect. This suggests PM exposure triggers inflammation, worsening cardiovascular risk in diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Cardiovascular Research
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Population studies link particulate matter (PM) air pollution to increased diabetes complications.
- Biological mechanisms for PM-induced prothrombotic effects in diabetes are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if PM exposure induces prothrombotic changes in diabetic individuals.
- To explore the role of systemic inflammation in this potential PM-induced effect.
Main Methods:
- 137 non-smoking diabetic outpatients were studied.
- Recent (2-hr) and chronic (airway macrophage carbon load) PM exposure were assessed.
- Ex vivo platelet function (PFA-100) and blood leukocyte counts were measured.
Main Results:
- Increased recent PM10 exposure correlated with reduced PFA-100 closure time, indicating heightened platelet activation.
- Higher PM exposure was associated with increased blood leukocyte counts, suggesting inflammation.
- Chronic PM exposure also correlated with elevated leukocyte counts.
Conclusions:
- Recent PM exposure promotes a prothrombotic state in diabetic patients.
- Diabetic individuals exhibit inflammatory responses to both recent and chronic PM exposure.
- PM-induced prothrombotic changes in diabetes may contribute to cardiovascular risk.
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