Metabolic pathways linking air pollution to osteoarthritis: Insights from a prospective cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To investigate metabolic pathways linking air pollution exposure to osteoarthritis (OA) development and quantify their mediating role in disease pathogenesis.

Methods

This prospective cohort study utilized UK Biobank data from 220,872 participants. Air pollution exposure was assessed using land use regression models for PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, PM₂.₅ ₋ ₁₀, NO₂, and NOₓ, with composite scores constructed. Nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics profiling quantified 251 circulating metabolites. Elastic net regression identified air pollution-related metabolic signatures. Cox proportional hazards models assessed associations of air pollution related metabolic profiles with incident OA. Causal mediation analysis quantified metabolic pathway mediation using counterfactual methods.<

SUBMITTER: Zhang B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12818614 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature