| dc.description.abstract | Air pollution remains a growing source of concern as research in recent years has revealed evidence of significant adverse health impacts and toxicological effects stemming from exposure to ambient air pollution. Epidemiological studies on the effects of air pollutants have found a clear association between exposure to air pollutants and adverse health effects such as cardiovascular and respiratory dysfunction, autoimmune disorders, and dysfunctions of the central nervous system. This is especially the case for particulate matter. The observed adverse health effects indicate a perturbation of primary cellular mechanisms caused by inhalation of particulate matter that lead to the occurrence of negative health effects. This paper reviews the association between exposure to air pollutants, specifically particulate matter, and the disruption of iron homeostasis in the human biological system. This was done by a literature review of previous research projects and studies as well as published reviews on related topics. This includes literature on the causes of iron dishomeostasis, frequency of anemia in highly polluted countries, causes of oxidative stress and inflammatory response, and how certain cellular response mechanisms are triggered by air pollutants.
It is suspected that oxidative stress and inflammatory response play a critical role in the processes that lead to perturbation of iron homeostasis, and in some cases, anemia. In this review, the mechanisms of action by which inhaled pollutants affect the respiratory system are unraveled to gain an understanding of how the biological system defends against an inhaled threat. When a threat, in this case particulate matter, is introduced into the human respiratory system there is possibility for the cellular defense mechanisms of the respiratory system to become overwhelmed. This can lead to the activation of a range of signaling mechanisms which result in a state of oxidative stress in the cell. Often the occurrence of oxidative stress is soon after followed by an acute inflammatory response. The processes by which particulate matter can initiate these mechanisms and signaling cascades are analyzed and discussed in connection to the resulting disturbance of iron homeostasis in the biological system.
Previous research has found a distinct association between exposure to air pollutants and the disruption of iron homeostasis. Several mechanisms have been suggested to lead to the cellular disruption of iron homeostasis. These include the chelation or complexation of iron by the pollutant, initiation and perpetuation of oxidative stress through various pathways, and triggering of acute inflammatory response. The disruption of iron homeostasis can lead to the development of anemia, which particularly for those who are immunocompromised, such as children, pregnant individuals, and seniors, can have a range of negative health impacts including the development and perpetuation of disease, and even mortality. This literature review was conducted in aims of gaining a better understanding of the cellular mechanisms that occur in response to the inhalation of particulate matter into the human system and how these mechanisms lead to the disruption of iron homeostasis, and in some cases, anemia. | |
