Effects of ultrafine particles on the allergic inflammation in the lung of asthmatics: results of a double-blinded randomized cross-over clinical pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that exposure to ultrafine particles (UFP) might aggravate the allergic inflammation of the lung in asthmatics.

Methods

We exposed 12 allergic asthmatics in two subgroups in a double-blinded randomized cross-over design, first to freshly generated ultrafine carbon particles (64 μg/m³; 6.1 ± 0.4 × 10⁵ particles/cm³ for 2 h) and then to filtered air or vice versa with a 28-day recovery period in-between. Eighteen hours after each exposure, grass pollen was instilled into a lung lobe via bronchoscopy. Another 24 hours later, inflammatory cells were collected by means of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). (

Trial registration

NCT00527462) RESULTS: For the entire study group, inhalation of UFP by itself had no signific

SUBMITTER: Schaumann F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4354282 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature