Air pollution, inflammation and oxidative stress

Abstract

Air pollution is comprised by a wide range of chemicals and particulates. Some of the individual pollutants that are present in this ambient mix are free radicals or have the ability to initiate free radical reactions, which is the case for particulate matter (PM). As a consequence, the exposure to PM causes oxidative stress within the lung, and this appears to initiates responses that are particularly dangerous to healthy and susceptible members of the population. The mechanisms by which PM causes oxidative stress include: generation of oxidants at the particle surface, release of metals or organic components from the particle, and the induction of an inflammatory response. In addition, nitric oxide was suggested to play a role in the cellular toxicity of the particles. The current hypothesis is that the lung inflammation induced by inhalation of ambient particles implies a systemic inflammatory response, with endothelial activation and oxidative and nitrosative stress.