Grantee Research Project Results
Cardiovascular Responses in the Normative Aging Study: Exploring the Pathways of Particle Toxicity
EPA Grant Number: R832416C001Subproject: this is subproject number 001 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R832416
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Health Effects Institute (2015 - 2020)
Center Director: Greenbaum, Daniel S.
Title: Cardiovascular Responses in the Normative Aging Study: Exploring the Pathways of Particle Toxicity
Investigators: Schwartz, Joel , Suh, Helen H. , Vokonas, Pantel
Current Investigators: Schwartz, Joel , Suh, Helen H. , Sparrow, David , Vokonas, Pantel
Institution: Harvard University , Boston University
Current Institution: Harvard University
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2010 (Extended to September 30, 2011)
RFA: Particulate Matter Research Centers (2004) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Human Health , Air
Objective:
Since 1997, epidemiological and animal studies have identified many potential mechanisms by which particles may impact health. However, the relative importance of these potential pathways and the steps along these pathways are not well understood, particularly as to how they relate to specific particle components and sources, for which pathways are likely to differ. We propose to examine the importance and relevance of the inflammatory, endothelial and autonomic pathways to particle toxicity using the cohort of individuals participating in the Normative Aging Study (NAS), a large prospective cohort living in Eastern Massachusetts.
Approach:
We propose to build on our analyses of the NAS cohort performed as part of our original EPA-Harvard Particle Health Effects Center using novel exposure and epidemiological approaches. This approach uses pharmacological and natural interventions as well as genetics, to highlight specific biological pathways. Specifically, we propose to collect ECG, blood inflammatory marker, medication, genotypic, food frequency, and particle exposure data for each of the 700 current NAS participants. ECG and blood marker samples will be analyzed for a variety of measures (HRV, ST segments, QT intervals, CRP, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and homocysteine) that will serve as intermediate markers of the inflammatory, endothelial, and autonomic pathways. These markers will be related to individual-specific PM2.5, SO42-, BC and trace element exposures that will be measured inside each participant's home for one-week prior to his/her clinic visit and to ambient air pollution (PM2.5, PM10, PM2.5-10, SO42 , NO3-, BC, EC, OC, NO3-, PC, and trace elements) concentrations that will be measured at our stationary ambient monitoring (SAM) site. The long-term (i.e., annual) effects of specific particle component exposures on measured markers of inflammation, endothelial function, and autonomic function will also be examined using a GIS-based exposure model. The importance and relevance of the inflammatory, endothelial and autonomic pathways of particle toxicity will be examined using naturally occurring variations in the NAS cohort in: (a) the GSTM1 and HO-1 genotypes; (b) dietary micronutrient intake; (c) hypertensive and cardiac medication use, and; (d) methacholine reactivity.
Expected Results:
By examining how these variations modify exposure-effect relationships, natural interventions will be created that enhance or diminish the importance of the inflammatory, endothelial, and autonomic pathways. Given these variations, structural equation models, a powerful technique that combines multiple regression and factor analysis methods, will be used to examine relationships among the multiple PM components and health outcomes and to determine whether these relationships are consistent with specific biological pathways.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 68 publications for this subproject | View all 206 publications for this centerJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this subproject: View all 67 journal articles for this subproject | View all 199 journal articles for this centerSupplemental Keywords:
susceptible sub-populations, response heterogeneity, biological mechanism,, RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, Air, particulate matter, Environmental Chemistry, Health Risk Assessment, Epidemiology, Risk Assessments, ambient air quality, atmospheric particulate matter, biological pathways, chemical characteristics, human health effects, toxicology, airborne particulate matter, cardiovascular vulnerability, automobile exhaust, biological mechanisms, traffic related particulate matter, chemical composition, biological mechanism , human exposure, ambient particle health effects, autonomic dysfunction, oxidative stressProgress and Final Reports:
Main Center Abstract and Reports:
R832416 Health Effects Institute (2015 - 2020) Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R832416C001 Cardiovascular Responses in the Normative Aging Study: Exploring the Pathways of Particle Toxicity
R832416C002 Cardiovascular Toxicity of Concentrated Ambient Fine, Ultrafine and Coarse Particles in Controlled Human Exposures
R832416C003 Assessing Toxicity of Local and Transported Particles Using Animal Models Exposed to CAPs
R832416C004 Cardiovascular Effects of Mobile Source Exposures: Effects of Particles and Gaseous Co-pollutants
R832416C005 Toxicological Evaluation of Realistic Emission Source Aerosol (TERESA): Investigation of Vehicular Emissions
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.
Project Research Results
- Final Report
- 2010 Progress Report
- 2009 Progress Report
- 2008 Progress Report
- 2007 Progress Report
- 2006 Progress Report
67 journal articles for this subproject
Main Center: R832416
206 publications for this center
199 journal articles for this center