Bronchial mucosal inflammation in healthy subjects after exposure to wood smoke from incomplete combustion

• Indoor smoke from combustion of solid biomass fuel is a major risk factor for respiratory disease worldwide. The mechanisms by which wood smoke exhibits its effects on human health are not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether exposure to wood smoke produced from incomplete combustion would elicit an airway inflammatory response.Methods Fourteen healthy subjects underwent controlled chamber exposure on two occasions to filtered air and to sooty wood smoke (PM1 ~ 314 μg/m3), generated by a common Nordic wood stove firing birch logs. The study was performed with a double-blind randomized cross-over design and the subjects alternated between exercise (VE=20 L/min/m2) and rest at 15-minute intervals for 3 hours. Bronchoscopies were performed 24 hours after each exposure where bronchial wash (BW), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and endobronchial biopsies were taken. Differential cell counts and soluble components were analyzed in BW and BAL. Bronchial mucosal biopsies were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Blood tests for inflammatory markers were sampled pre-exposure as well as at 24 and 44-hour time points post-exposure. Spirometry and Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) were performed before, immediately after and 24 hours after each exposure.Results There was a significant increase in submucosal and epithelial CD3+ lymphocytes (p<0.01 and <0.05 respectively), together with CD8+ cells in the epithelium (p<0.05) after exposure to wood smoke compared to filtered air. Mast cells were also significantly increased in the submucosa (p<0.01) after wood smoke exposure.There were significant reductions in macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes in BW after exposure to wood smoke compared to filtered air, accompanied by decreased levels of soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (sICAM-1), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). No significant effects on cell numbers or acute inflammatory markers were demonstrated in BAL fluid or peripheral blood. Lung function and FENO were not affected by exposure to wood smoke.Conclusions Wood smoke exposure caused a significant increase in bronchial epithelial and submucosal CD3+ lymphocytes together with an increase in mucosal mast cells. Further examination revealed a significant increase in CD8+ lymphocytes within the epithelium. Unexpectedly there were no indications of any neutrophilic airway response or recruitment of alveolar macrophages. BW cell numbers, MPO and MMP-9 levels were also significantly reduced after wood smoke exposure. Further research is needed to determine the precise role of these events in relationship to the adverse health effects attributed to wood smoke exposure.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Lungmedicin och allergi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Respiratory Medicine and Allergy (hsv//eng)

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