nitrogen-dioxide and Rhinitis--Allergic--Seasonal

The environment is a major contributor to allergic disease, and great effort is being expended to identify the chemical pollutants and allergens that make a significant impact. Exposure to high levels of ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and diesel exhaust particles is known to reduce lung function. Studies continue to delineate the role of these particles as adjuvants and carriers of allergens into the respiratory system. Current studies also show the exacerbation of allergic disease through fungal spore inhalation and continue to document the role of pollen in allergic rhinitis. Pollen also was recently associated with asthma epidemics, especially after thunderstorms. Forecasting models currently are being developed that predict the trajectories of pollen dispersal and may allow increased avoidance of dangerous outdoor conditions.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Allergens; Asthma; Forecasting; Fungi; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Pollen; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Risk Factors; Seasons; Spores, Fungal; Sulfur Dioxide; Vehicle Emissions

Topics: Allergens; Androstadienes; Anti-Allergic Agents; Blood Proteins; Drug Synergism; Eosinophil Granule Proteins; Eosinophils; Fluticasone; Humans; Nasal Lavage Fluid; Nasal Mucosa; Nasal Provocation Tests; Nebulizers and Vaporizers; Nitrogen Dioxide; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Ribonucleases

Allergic disease and pollution effects on children are a subject of worldwide concern. Outdoor pollution is the sum of acid particle (SO2, NO2, PM) and photochemical (ozone) pollution. Experimental studies demonstrated correlation between animals and humans concerning inhalation of pollutants and inflammatory and functional effects. Several studies among children confirmed with variable odds ratios the interaction between air pollution and respiratory health, but other studies showed no clear effect. Physicians should inform parents with children experiencing respiratory disease.

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Animals; Asthma; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Mice; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Nitrogen Dioxide; Odds Ratio; Oxidants, Photochemical; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Risk Factors; Seasons; Sulfur Dioxide; Swine

The authors have recently demonstrated that prior exposure for 6 h to 400 p.p.b. nitrogen dioxide significantly enhances the early phase response of eosinophils in the nasal airways of allergic rhinitics to subsequent allergen provocation.. To investigate whether treatment with fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray (FP) can alter the inflammatory response in the nasal airways under these conditions.. Sixteen allergic, rhinitic patients were recruited for this double-blind, randomized, cross-over study and received either topical FP 200 microg once daily or matched placebo for 4 weeks. At the end of treatment, all underwent nasal lavage followed by a 6 h exposure to 400 p.p.b. NO2. Following exposure to NO2, nasal allergen challenge was performed and nasal lavage repeated. After a 4 week washout period, patients were given alternate treatment and tested as above.. Analysis of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in lavage samples from patients treated with placebo, demonstrated that this was significantly increased from a median value of 2.3 ng/mL (range: 1.0-7.1) to 15.1 ng/mL (range: 1.5-40.0; P = 0.001) following exposure to NO2 and allergen challenge. However, in patients treated with FP, ECP concentrations only increased from 3.3 ng/mL (range: 0.2-9.2) to 5.1 ng/mL (range: 0.3-20.0; P = 0.034) following exposure to NO2 and allergen challenge. The difference of the changes in ECP concentration between the placebo and the FP-treated group was significant (P = 0.003). Similarly, there was a significant increase in the number of eosinophils in nasal lavage after exposure to NO2 and allergen challenge in the placebo group, and this increase was inhibited in FP group (P = 0.002).. These results suggest that FP influences NO2- and allergen-induced changes in eosinophil function, as well as eosinophil number in the nasal airway of allergic rhinitics.

Topics: Adult; Allergens; Androstadienes; Anti-Allergic Agents; Blood Proteins; Cross-Over Studies; Double-Blind Method; Eosinophil Granule Proteins; Eosinophils; Female; Fluticasone; Humans; Inflammation Mediators; Male; Middle Aged; Nasal Lavage Fluid; Nasal Mucosa; Nasal Provocation Tests; Nebulizers and Vaporizers; Nitrogen Dioxide; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Ribonucleases

We investigated the effects of NO2 and allergen on lung function in a repeated exposure model. For 4 subsequent days, 16 subjects with mild asthma and allergy to birch or grass pollen were exposed at rest to either purified air or 500 microg x m(-3) NO2 for 30 min in an exposure chamber. Four hours later, an individually determined nonsymptomatic allergen dose was inhaled. Lung function (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)) was measured by a portable spirometer at early phase (EP) 15 min after allergen and at late phase (LP) 3-10 h after allergen. Subjective symptoms and medication were followed by diary cards. Asthmatic response was significantly increased after repeated exposure to NO2 and allergen compared to air and allergen. The 4-day mean fall in FEV1 after NO2 was at EP -25% versus -0.4% for air (p=0.02) and at LP -4.4% versus -1.9% for air (p=0.01, ANOVA). An increase in EP response was seen already after a single NO2 exposure (p=0.03). There was a tendency (p=0.07) towards increased night-time symptoms of asthma after NO2 plus allergen. Although the effects were small, the results indicate that a repeated short exposure to an ambient level of NO2 enhances the airway response to a nonsymptomatic allergen dose.

Topics: Adult; Air Pollutants; Allergens; Asthma; Bronchial Hyperreactivity; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Synergism; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Histamine; Humans; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Pollen; Reproducibility of Results; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Risk Factors

Recent studies have suggested that exposure to air pollutants may enhance the airway responsiveness of susceptible individuals to inhaled allergen.. To investigate the effect of exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on nasal airways resistance (NAR) and inflammatory mediators in nasal lavage fluid, eight subjects with a history of seasonal allergic rhinitis, who were tested out of season, were exposed in a randomized single-blind, crossover study to either air or 400 ppb NO2 for 6 hours. The changes in NAR and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), mast cell tryptase (MCT), neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in nasal lavage fluid before and after exposure were evaluated. Another group of eight subjects with a history of seasonal allergic rhinitis were also randomized to exposure to air or 400 ppb NO2 for 6 hours and then challenged with allergen, before evaluation for changes in NAR and changes in ECP, MCT, MPO, and IL-8 in nasal lavage fluid.. Exposure to air or NO2 did not alter either NAR or the levels of ECP, MCT, MPO, or IL-8 in nasal lavage fluid. Allergen challenge after exposure to both air and NO2 significantly (p < 0.05) increased levels of MCT, but not MPO and IL-8 in the nasal lavage fluid. In addition, allergen challenge after exposure to NO2 but not air, significantly increased levels of only ECP in nasal lavage fluid (p < 0.05).. These results suggest that acute exposure to NO2 at concentrations found at the curbside in heavy traffic during episodes of pollution, may "prime" eosinophils for subsequent activation by allergen in individuals with a history of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Airway Resistance; Allergens; Blood Proteins; Chymases; Cross-Over Studies; Eosinophil Granule Proteins; Female; Humans; Inflammation Mediators; Interleukin-8; Male; Mast Cells; Middle Aged; Nasal Lavage Fluid; Nasal Mucosa; Nasal Provocation Tests; Nebulizers and Vaporizers; Nitrogen Dioxide; Peroxidase; Pollen; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Ribonucleases; Serine Endopeptidases; Single-Blind Method; Tryptases

Pollen allergens, widely present in the atmosphere, are the main cause of seasonal respiratory diseases that affect millions of people worldwide. Although previous studies have reported that nitrogen dioxide (NO

Topics: Allergens; Animals; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Pollen; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal

The allergenic and inflammatory potential of proteins can be enhanced by chemical modification upon exposure to atmospheric or physiological oxidants. The molecular mechanisms and kinetics of such modifications, however, have not yet been fully resolved. We investigated the oligomerization and nitration of the grass pollen allergen Phl p 5 by ozone (O

Topics: Allergens; Kinetics; Nitrates; Nitrogen Dioxide; Nitrogen Oxides; Oxidants; Ozone; Peroxynitrous Acid; Phleum; Plant Proteins; Poaceae; Pollen; Proteins; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal

The oxidative potential (OP) of particulate matter (PM) has been proposed as a health-relevant metric, but currently few epidemiological studies investigated associations of OP with health. Our main aim was to assess associations of long-term exposure to OP with respiratory health in children. Our second aim was to evaluate whether OP is more consistently associated with respiratory health than PM mass, PM composition or nitrogen dioxide (NO2).. For 3701 participants of a prospective birth cohort, annual average concentrations of OP (assessed by spin resonance (OP(ESR)) and dithiothreitol assay (OP(DTT))), PM with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) mass, NO2, and PM2.5 constituents at the home addresses at birth and at all follow-up addresses were estimated by land-use regression. Repeated questionnaire reports of asthma and hay fever until age 14 years, and measurements of allergic sensitisation, lung function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide at age 12 years were linked with air pollution concentrations.. Asthma incidence, prevalence of asthma symptoms and rhinitis were positively associated with OP(DTT) (adjusted OR (95% CI) per IQR increase in exposure 1.10 (1.01 to 1.20), 1.08 (1.02 to 1.16), 1.15 (1.05 to 1.26), respectively). These associations persisted after adjustment for most co-pollutants. Forced expiratory volume in 1s and forced vital capacity were negatively associated with OP(DTT). These associations were sensitive to adjustment for NO2. Respiratory health was not significantly associated with PM2.5 mass and OP(ESR).. Respiratory health was more strongly associated with OP(DTT) than with PM2.5 mass; OP(DTT) associations with lung function, but not symptoms, were sensitive to adjustment for NO2.

Topics: Adolescent; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Asthma; Child; Child, Preschool; Dithiothreitol; Environmental Exposure; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Lung; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Particulate Matter; Prospective Studies; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Vehicle Emissions; Vital Capacity

Pollinosis is found more frequently in urban areas than in rural environments. This could be partly related to the different types of pollen exposure in these dissimilar areas. The objective of this study was to compare the distribution of pollen in these environments across an urbanization gradient.. Daily pollen abundances were obtained in France using Hirst-type sensors. Sampling was conducted from January to June in 2003 and 2006 in a rural area, a semi-rural area and in two urban areas, which were characterized by several urbanization criteria.. Total allergenic pollen abundance was higher in rural and semi-rural areas than in urban areas irrespective of the sampling year. Multivariate analyses showed that pollen exposures differed according to the type of area and were strongly explained by the urbanization gradient. Grass, ash, birch, alder, hornbeam, hazel and plantain pollen quantities exceeded the allergy threshold more often in rural settings than in urban areas. In urban areas, only plane pollen quantities exceeded the allergy threshold more often than in rural areas.. Allergenic pollen exposure is higher in rural areas than in urban areas, and the most abundant pollen in each area did not originated from the same taxa. This result should be taken into account in epidemiological studies comparing allergies in rural and urban areas to adapt the panel of pollen extracts for human environmental exposure. In addition, this study highlights that some ornamental trees produce a large number of allergenic pollens and provide new sources of aeroallergens.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Allergens; Environmental Monitoring; Epidemiological Monitoring; France; Humans; Inhalation Exposure; Multivariate Analysis; Nitrogen Dioxide; Pollen; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Rural Population; Urban Population; Urbanization

The objective of the study was to analyze the relationship between air pollutants and the prevalence of recent symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic eczema in schoolchildren aged between 6 and 7 years.. The prevalence of recent (previous 12 months) symptoms of allergic diseases was obtained by means of the questionnaire of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), Spain, with the participation of 7 centers (Asturias, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cartagena, La Coruña, Madrid, and Valencia) and 20 455 schoolchildren aged between 6 and 7 years, from 2002 to 2003. The pollutant detection systems of the aforementioned centers provided the mean annual concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and total suspended particulate matter.. The annual average concentration of SO2 showed a significant association with a higher prevalence of recent severe asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] between level-1 and level-3 pollution, 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.73), rhinitis (aOR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.39-1.75), and rhinoconjunctivitis (aOR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.45-2.00). The annual average concentration of CO was associated with a higher prevalence of rhinitis (aOR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.34-2.04), rhinoconjunctivitis (aOR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.31-2.37), and eczema (aOR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.17-2.04). The annual average concentration for NO2 and total suspended particulate matter showed inverse associations with the prevalence of nocturnal dry cough.. Findings suggest that air pollutants such as SO2 and CO increase the risk of recent symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis in schoolchildren aged between 6 and 7 years in Spain.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Asthma; Carbon Monoxide; Child; Cough; Dermatitis, Atopic; Female; Humans; Male; Meteorological Concepts; Nitrogen Dioxide; Particulate Matter; Prevalence; Respiratory Sounds; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Spain; Sulfur Dioxide; Urban Population