Thessa Van Pee, Kenneth Vanbrabant, Leen Rasking, Peter Van Eyken, Janneke Hogervorst, Philip Caenepeel, Marcel Ameloot, Michelle Plusquin, Tim S Nawrot
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Evidence is accumulating that elevated levels of particulate air pollution, including black carbon, have been linked to gastrointestinal disorders and a lower intestinal bacterial richness and diversity. One of the hypothesized underlying mechanisms is the absorption of air pollution-related particles from the gastrointestinal tract.
Methods: We visualized and quantified black carbon particles via white light generation under femtosecond-pulsed laser illumination in ileum and colon biopsies of five human patients. The biodistribution was assessed in three different layers (i.e., mucosa, submucosa, and muscularis propria).
Findings: Black carbon particles could be identified in all three tissue layers of the ileum and colon biopsies of five participants (two men and three women; mean ± standard deviation age, 76.40 ± 7.37 years), and their carbonaceous nature was confirmed via emission fingerprinting. The median (±SD) black carbon load was borderline statistically significantly higher in the ileum compared to the colon (1.21 × 105 ± 1.68 × 104 particles/mm3 versus 9.34 × 104 ± 1.33 × 104 particles/mm3; p = 0.07) and was driven by a difference in black carbon load in the submucosa layer (p = 0.01). Regarding the three tissue layers, loads were higher in the submucosa, compared with the mucosa (ileum: +76%, p < 0.0001; colon: +70%, p = 0.0001) and muscularis propria (ileum: +88%, p < 0.0001; colon: +88%, p < 0.0001). In ileum, loads were borderline higher in the mucosa versus muscularis propria (p = 0.09).
Interpretation: This explorative study provides real-life evidence that black carbon particles can reach the intestinal tissue and accumulate in different intestinal tissue layers. These findings support further research into how particulate air pollution directly affects gastrointestinal health.
Funding: Thessa Van Pee holds a doctoral fellowship from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), grant number: 11C7421N. Tim Nawrot is a Methusalem grant holder.
EBioMedicineBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology-General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
CiteScore
17.70
自引率
0.90%
发文量
579
审稿时长
5 weeks
期刊介绍:
eBioMedicine is a comprehensive biomedical research journal that covers a wide range of studies that are relevant to human health. Our focus is on original research that explores the fundamental factors influencing human health and disease, including the discovery of new therapeutic targets and treatments, the identification of biomarkers and diagnostic tools, and the investigation and modification of disease pathways and mechanisms. We welcome studies from any biomedical discipline that contribute to our understanding of disease and aim to improve human health.