New Research Shows Mechanism Behind Respiratory Health Impacts Of Diesel Exhaust Fumes

Frequent exposure to exhaust fumes from diesel engines have been proved to cause respiratory diseases. At the recently held 13th European Respiratory Society Lung Science Conference, a new research by Ryan Robinson from Imperial College London, UK, demonstrates how inhalation of these air pollutants affects the lungs’ sensory nerves. Understanding this mechanism could lead to development of better treatment for respiratory diseases.

Inhaling diesel exhausts is inevitable for urban dwellers as much of the city’s daily operations rely on the use of diesel fuel. According to Robinson, diesel particles are only 20 nanometres wide, so they could go deep into the lungs. Sensory nerves in the lungs identify harmful stimuli and this triggers bodily responses such as coughing. In some conditions such as asthma, the nerves’ reactions could cause constriction of air passages to the lungs.

The researchers, which include Robinson’s supervisors at the National Heart and Lung Institute, observed how diesel particles from a forklift truck activated the chemically sensitive airway nerves of a guinea pig model. Diesel particles were also tested in an isolated nerve preparation. Chemical-free particles seem harmless, but those with diesel extract caused the nerve activation.

Transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels have been associated with airway sensory nerve activation. The research team obstructed some of these TRP channels to test if it is stimulated by the diesel particles. Exposure to the diesel extract activated the TRP ankryin-1 (TRPA1) channel. The scientists also found that nerve response could be suppressed with the application of antioxidant. Oxidative stress activates the TRAP1 channel and has been linked to several diseases, explains Robinson.

Findings in this research contribute to a clearer grasp of how diesel exhaust affects nerves in the air passage and stimulates respiratory response, especially in people who are more sensitive to the impacts of air pollution. Scientists would be able to develop other medications and therapies for people who are prone to respiratory ailments such as asthma attacks and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Constant exposure to traffic-related pollution has increased cases of hospital readmission in asthma patients. The harmful effects of fossil fuel usage on people’s health reinforces the idea of creating substitute energy resources.

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