The Effects of Diesel Exhaust and Stress on the Acute Phase Response and Symptoms in the Chemically Intolerant
Abstract
Exposures to diesel exhaust (DE) and other petrochemical combustion products were the exposures reported by the greatest percentage of all Gulf War veterans (GWV). Along with diesel exhaust and other chemical exposures psychological stress has been implicated in the onset of unexplained symptoms such as chemical sensitivity among GWV. The purpose of the proposed study is to test a model for chemical sensitivity in GWV in which simultaneous acute exposures to DE and psychological stress cause increased symptoms via the acute phase response (APR) in susceptible individuals. Individuals who are low or high in the susceptibility factor of chemical intolerance (CI) will be exposed to DE either with or without a public speaking task an acute psychological stressor. To date 72 subjects have completed the protocol. The mean concentration in any single diesel exposure remained within -+10% of the target PM mass concentration of 300ug/m3. Preliminary data indicates that relative to clean air subjects report a small increase in symptoms following the onset of diesel exposure. Relative to pre-stress values CD4/CD8 ratios are reduced and NK cells increased following the stressor. Analysis of induced sputum cell differential counts show a high proportion of macrophages verifying that the sputum originated in the airways. The percentages of neutrophils and macrophages are similar to reference values reported in other studies (Spanevello et al. 2000). No hypothesis tests will be performed until the sample is complete.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA455353
Entities
People
- Howard Kipen
- Jungfeng Zhang
- Nancy Fiedler
- Paul Lehrer
- Paul Lioy
- Robert Leumbach
Organizations
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School