Document Type : Original Article (s)
Authors
1
Resident, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
3
Assistant Professor, Applied Physiology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
4
Isfahan Environmental Protection Office, Isfahan, Iran.
5
MSc Student in Environmental Protection Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Professor, Pediatric Preventive Cardiology Department, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
6
Professor, Pediatric Preventive Cardiology Department, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Abstract
Background: Studying the effects of environmental factors on the early stages of development and progression of atherosclerosis process can serve as a guide for future studies and offer strategies for primary prevention of chronic diseases. This study aimed to assess the relationship of air pollution and plasma surrogate endothelial markers in the pediatric age group. Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted in 2010 involving 118 children and adolescents aged 10-18 years randomly selected from different areas of Isfahan city, the second large and air-polluted city in Iran. The association of air pollutants’ levels with serum thrombomodulin (TM) and tissue factor (TF) was determined. Findings: A significant relationship between TF and Pollution Standard Index (PSI) was found. This relationship was remarkable with PM level, although we could find this relationship more or less with other gasses as well. In this study, no significant relationship was found between TM and PSI. Conclusion: The relationship of air pollution level with the inflammation system and subsequently coagulation factors can be an important factor in atherosclerosis development from early life. This finding should be confirmed in future longitudinal studies and must be given due attention in preventive policies. Keywords: Air pollution, Endothelial function, Inflammation, Coagulation, Aatherosclerosis, Children, Prevention.
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