Effects of Short-term Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution on Lung Function in Healthy Adults: Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Background: Air pollution exposure has been associated with adverse health effects.  Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has been shown to blunt the cardiovascular responses to air pollution exposure.  Objectives: We conducted a panel study to evaluate whether personal choice of omeg-3 fatty acids intake can modulate the health effects of short-term exposure to ambient air pollution in healthy adults.   Methods: Sixty-two participants (mean age 38±9 yr) were recruited into high and low omega-3 groups based on dietary intakes of omega-3 fatty acids and blood omega-3 index. Each participant was tested for 3 to 5 two-day sessions with at least 7 days interval between two sessions. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at the end of the first second (FEV1) were measured by spirometry at each session. Other health endpoints include heart rate variability, endothelial function, and blood biomarkers. Daily ambient ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations were obtained from air quality monitoring stations in central North Carolina. Associations of air pollutants with lung function were assessed using mixed-effects models stratified by fatty acids levels. Results: The average concentration of 8-h O3 was 40.8 ppb and PM2.5 was 10.2 µg/m3 during the study period. FVC was positively associated with O3 concentrations at lag 0 day in the high omega-3 group, while there was no significant association in the low omega-3 group [for an interquartile range (IQR) increase in O3, 2.58% (95% CI: 0.90, 4.26) vs. -0.33% (95% CI: -2.11, 1.44); Pinteraction=0.02]. However, the association was shifted to negative at lag 4 day [-1.78% (95% CI: -3.24, -0.31] in the high omega-3 group. Furthermore, for PM2.5, FVC followed the same pattern of associations in the high omega-3 group. FVC was positively associated with PM2.5 concentrations at lag 0 and lag 1 days and then shifted to negative association at lag 3 and 4 day. In addition, per IQR increase in 8-h O3, FEV1 was increased at lag 0 day in the high omega-3 group. Conclusions: The early and delayed associations between lung function and ambient O3 or PM2.5 were modified differentially by omega-3 fatty acids in healthy adults. THIS ABSTRACT OF A PROPOSED PRESENTATION DOES NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT EPA POLICY.

Impact/Purpose

This study examined the modulating effect of omega-3 fatty acid on the health effects of short-term exposure to ambient air pollution in healthy adults.  We have observed lag dependent associations between short-term exposure to ambient air polluttion and lung function that were infuenced by omega-3 fatty acid in healthy adults.

Citation

Tong, H., W. Shen, S. Zhang, H. Chen, AND J. Samet. Effects of Short-term Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution on Lung Function in Healthy Adults: Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids. American Thoracic Society 2021 International Conference-Virtual, Chapel Hill-Virtual, North Carolina, May 14 - 19, 2021.