Exhaled breath malondialdehyde as a marker of effect of exposure to air pollution in children with asthma.

BACKGROUND

Assessment of the adverse effects of oxidative stress related to air pollution is limited by the lack of biological markers of dose to the lungs.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the use of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) malondialdehyde as a biomarker of exposure to traffic-related pollution in children with asthma as part of a panel study in Mexico City.

METHODS

Standard spirometry and collection of EBC and nasal lavage were performed. Environmental monitoring sites were located within 5 km of the children's homes and schools. Data were analyzed by using generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

A total of 480 samples of malondialdehyde were obtained from 107 patients with asthma, with a median level of 18.7 (interquartile range [IQR], 12.4-28.7) nmol. Ambient particulates less than 2.5 microg/m(3) and ozone levels on the day of sampling were significantly associated with higher malondialdehyde levels. A 14.2-microg/m(3) (IQR) increase in 8-hour moving average particulates less than 2.5 microg/m(3) in size was associated with a 1.12-nmol increase in malondialdehyde and a 15.9-ppb (IQR) increase in 8-hour moving average ozone with a 1.16-nmol increase in malondialdehyde. Malondialdehyde levels were inversely associated with forced vital capacity and FEV(1) and positively associated with IL-8 levels in nasal lavage.

CONCLUSION

Exhaled breath condensate malondialdehyde was related to both air pollution exposure and changes in lung function and inflammatory markers.