The concentration of malondialdehyde in exhaled breath is influenced by air pollution exposure during physical activity in adolescents

Kaytna ThakerDepartment of Environmental HealthRollins School of Public Health, Emory University

BACKGROUND•Air pollution is a mix of solid particles and

gases•Components include:

▫Particulate matter (PM) Elemental or black carbon

▫Ozone

BACKGROUND (cont.)•Epidemiological studies have

demonstrated associations between air pollutants and adverse health effects▫Ozone, black carbon, PM and increased

airway inflammation in addition to asthma exacerbation

BACKGROUND (cont.)•Oxidative stress and airway inflammation

are processes that result from exposure to air pollutants

•Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a lipid peroxidation product that derives from the process of oxidative stress▫Can be quantified in biological matrices▫Studies have demonstrated associations

between MDA levels and air pollutant levels

BACKGROUND (cont.)

• Data from the Atlanta Commuter Exposure study conducted at Emory University indicate that there is variability in MDA levels prior to and following exposure

Study of Air Pollution and Physical Activity (SAPPA)

• Aims to address the question of whether outdoor physical activity during periods of poor air quality can increase and modify the health effects of air pollution exposure

SPECIFIC AIMS1. Analysis of exhaled breath condensate

(EBC) samples to determine the levels of MDA present in each sample

2. Comparison of MDA levels and air pollutant data

HYPOTHESIS•MDA levels in EBC are associated with

levels of measured air pollutants•Engaging in physical activity modifies the

relationship between MDA levels and air pollutant levels

RESEARCH METHODS•Collection of samples and measurements

from participants will take place both before and after sports team practices from high school athletes in the metro-Atlanta area

•Air pollution measurements recorded for the duration of team practices

RESEARCH METHODS•EBC samples will be collected prior to

and following exposure •MDA in EBC samples will be measured to

determine if a statistically significant change is observed between the pre and post-practice measurements

RESEARCH METHODS: ANALYSIS•Comparison of MDA levels and air

pollutant data will determine if an association exists between increased levels of MDA and increased levels of air pollutants

•Further analysis to determine if engaging in physical activity modifies the association between MDA levels and air pollutant concentrations

EXPOSURE DATA: PM

9/17/2013 9/18/2013 9/19/2013100

1000

10000

Particle Count, Suburban School

Part

icle

Count

( #

/cm

3)

EXPOSURE DATA: PM

10/8/2013 10/9/2013 10/10/20131000

10000

100000

Particle Count, Urban School

Part

icle

Count

(#/c

m3)

EXPOSURE DATA: BLACK CARBON

9/16/2013 9/17/2013 9/18/2013100

1000

Average Daily Black Carbon Levels, Suburban School

Bla

ck C

arb

on (

μg/m

3)

EXPOSURE DATA: BLACK CARBON

10/8/2013- MA 1 10/8/2013 - MA 2 10/9/2013 10/10/201310

100

1000

10000

Average Daily Black Carbon Levels, Urban School

Bla

ck C

arb

on (

μg/m

3)

NEXT STEPS•Analysis of EBC samples to determine

MDA levels▫Determine if a statistically significant

change is observed between the pre and post-practice measurements

•Comparison of MDA levels to air quality measurements▫Determine the presence of an association

THANK YOU!