Genetic and environmental factors linked with oxidant-antioxidant balance and their relationship with respiratory health in UK Biobank

Abstract

Introduction: Levels of serum oxidants and antioxidants depend on genetic factors and environmental exposures, which may influence respiratory health. Aims and Objectives: We examined factors linked with oxidant-antioxidant balance and their relative relationship with lung function in a large cross-sectional sample of the UK population. Material and Methods: This research used unrelated participants of European ancestry from the UK Biobank Resource. Serum bilirubin is a strong endogenous antioxidant and people homozygous for the T allele of rs887829 have levels approximately twice as high as those without this genotype. We examined the relationship between rs887829 and lung function (FEV1 and FVC) using multivariable linear regression. We also examined environmental variables linked to oxidant-antioxidant balance and tested for interactions with rs887829. The analyses were adjusted for conventional risk factors. Results: We included 267222 participants (124170 men, average age 57 years). Increased fruit/vegetable intake, antioxidant supplements and lower pollution levels (PM10) were independently associated with improved FEV1 (p Conclusions: The results do not support serum bilirubin as a therapeutic target but do emphasise the importance of encouraging healthy diets and improving policies to reduce pollution exposure. Wellcome Trust funded: 209207/Z/17/Z