Grantee Research Project Results

Inflammatory Responses and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Susceptible Populations

EPA Grant Number: R827354C002
Subproject: this is subproject number 002 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R827354
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Health Effects Institute (2000 — 2005)
Center Director: Greenbaum, Daniel S.
Title: Inflammatory Responses and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Susceptible Populations
Investigators: Wichmann, Heinz-Erich , Ibald-Mulli, Angela , Peters, Annette , Wolke, Gabriele , Heyder, Joachim , Cyrus, Josef , Rückerl, Regina , Koenig, Wolfgang , Kreyling, Wolfgang
Current Investigators: Wichmann, Heinz-Erich , Peters, Annette
Institution: GSF - Forschungszentrum fur Umwelt und Gesundheitand Ludwig Maximilian University
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: June 1, 1999 through May 31, 2005 (Extended to May 31, 2006)
RFA: Airborne Particulate Matter (PM) Centers (1999) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , Particulate Matter , Air

Objective:

The objective of this research project is to characterize the association between ambient particle exposures and changes in biomarkers of inflammation in both the airways and blood of patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), as well as of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). By monitoring the autonomic function of the heart, we will investigate how changes in the inflammatory state relate to alterations in the autonomic control.

Approach:

Two panel studies will be conducted to assess the health effects of fine and ultrafine particles on patients with cardiopulmonary disease. A panel of CAD patients will be studied in the winter of 2000/2001, and a second panel of COPD patients will be recruited for study in winter 2001/2002. Blood biomarkers for each group will be analyzed. The CAD patients will undergo 12 bimonthly clinical examinations with an interview, resting electrocardiocram (ECG), blood pressure measurement, urine sample, and blood sample. In addition, 6 monthly 24-hour holter recordings and daily blood pressure measurements for a period of 1 month were taken. For the COPD patients, additional baseline characterization of the health status by bodyplethysmogaphy and spirometry before and after bronchodilater use will be added to the initial baseline examination.

Expected Results:

We expect our analysis of ambient particle exposures and changes in biomarker inflammation to reveal how changes in the inflammatory state relate to alterations in the autonomic control.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 11 publications for this subproject | View all 106 publications for this center

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this subproject: View all 11 journal articles for this subproject | View all 91 journal articles for this center

Supplemental Keywords:

coronary artery disease, CAD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, particulate matter, air pollution, ultrafine particle, electrocardiogram, ECG., RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, Air, Geographic Area, particulate matter, Environmental Chemistry, Health Risk Assessment, Virology, Epidemiology, Risk Assessments, Biochemistry, Atmospheric Sciences, Molecular Biology/Genetics, International, ambient air quality, cytokine production, particle size, particulates, sensitive populations, cardiopulmonary responses, fine particles, human health effects, morbidity, ambient air monitoring, cardiovascular vulnerability, pulmonary disease, susceptible populations, COPD, epidemelogy, environmental health effects, particle exposure, Germany, human exposure, particulate exposure, lung inflamation, coronary artery disease, inhalation toxicology, PM, mortality, urban environment, aerosols, human health risk, cardiovascular disease, ultrafine particles

Progress and Final Reports:

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

R827354 Health Effects Institute (2000 — 2005)

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R827354C001 Characterization of the Chemical Composition of Atmospheric Ultrafine Particles
R827354C002 Inflammatory Responses and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Susceptible Populations
R827354C003 Clinical Studies of Ultrafine Particle Exposure in Susceptible Human Subjects
R827354C004 Animal Models: Dosimetry, and Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Events
R827354C005 Ultrafine Particle Cell Interactions: Molecular Mechanisms Leading to Altered Gene Expression
R827354C006 Development of an Electrodynamic Quadrupole Aerosol Concentrator
R827354C007 Kinetics of Clearance and Relocation of Insoluble Ultrafine Iridium Particles From the Rat Lung Epithelium to Extrapulmonary Organs and Tissues (Pilot Project)
R827354C008 Ultrafine Oil Aerosol Generation for Inhalation Studies

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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.