Assessment of adverse neurological effects of inhalation

Following the devastating fires that were wiped by Los Angeles in January, the concern about the long -term health effects are increasing.

In a study published in the International Journal of Molecular SciencesResearchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and the Environmental Protection Agency try to close the knowledge gap about how exposure to natural fires can influence the blood -brain barrier that protects the brain against harmful substances. Such exposure can cause molecular and cellular changes in the brain that are associated with cognitive and neurological dysfunctions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

Although earlier studies are primarily aimed at understanding the effect of natural fires in the lungs and the heart, the newest study has aimed at identifying and understanding the potential effects and adverse results that can generate exposure to the smoke of the natural fires when these particles enter the brain.

The study of the team evaluated the reactions of two species in vitro brain cell cultures – brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) and an immortalized endothelial cell line of the human brain (HCMEC/D3) – when exposed to different doses of Eucalyptus -wood smoke. from 24 hours.

Eucalyptus trees are of particular importance because of their highly flammable, oil -rich leaves and bark, as well as the high levels of toxicity that they give when they are burned. These factors, in combination with their abundance in California and large size – with some who reach between 150-200 feet – are important threats for the population.

For the knowledge of the experimental team, this was the first study to investigate the immediate effects of wood smoking extract in the endothelial cells of the brain (which offer the blood -brain barrier) using HBMEC and HCMEC/D3.

The research team showed that exposure to wood smoke induce immune response in the brain, which leads to an increased production of interleukine-8: a cytokine protein, often linked to neuro inflammation, which is released in response to injury or trauma in the body. They also saw proof of a significant decrease in some of the tight junction markers -a protective component of the blood -brain barrier that seals the space between brain -endothelial cells.

Both brain cell types showed similar reactions to the wood smoking extract, which suggests that one of them could offer a promising route to study the molecular mechanism of neuro inflammation in the brain by exposing natural fire/wood smoke. The team notes the need for future studies that analyze longer exposure to wood smoke and other types of brain cells beyond endothelial cells. In summary, this study can provide new insights into potential neurotoxicity and overcrowding between the cells.

In addition, because wildfire smoke particles (fine particles of less than 2.5 microns) and volatile combustion products vary considerably in composition, depending on the stage of combustion, location, weather, fuel and temperature of the fire, the researchers claim that other types of biomass behind it Smolding Eucalyptus must be assessed to identify which biomass can be more toxic for the brain.

Currently, the LLNL scientists trace the components of inhaled wildfire smoke in the brain, with the aim of identifying potential translocation mechanisms (ie the smoking road to the brain) with the help of LLNL’s biological accelerator mass spectrometry (bioams) capacities. They are also planning to evaluate Neuro -Inflammatory results of exposure to natural fires in Vivo Neuro -Inflammatory, which can contribute to neurological dysfunction.

LLNL co-authors of the study include Dorothy You, Bria Gorman, Noah Goshi, Nicholas Hum, Aimy Sebastian, Heather Enright and Bruce Buchholz.