Effects of exposure to biomass burning on pulmonary inflammatory markers and pulmonary function in individuals with COPD

Introduction

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has many benefits for individuals with COPD. However, it is not clear whether PR could prevent the hazards of air pollution exposure. This study aimed to analyze the effects of biomass burning exposure on pulmonary inflammatory markers and pulmonary function in individuals with COPD, participants and non-participants of PR.

Methods

35 subjects were divided into three groups: individuals with COPD who received PR (G1, n = 15), those who did not (G2, n = 10), and a control group composed of healthy individuals without COPD (CG, n = 10). Measurements of lung function and concentrations of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α in exhaled breath condensate samples were collected. The assessment and concentrations of particulate matter (PM₁₀), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), temperature (T), and relative air humidity (RAH) were recorded in biomass burning and non-burning periods.

Results

There was a significant increase in the concentrations of air pollutants in the biomass burning period. In this period, an increase in IL-6 (G1p = 0.041, G2 p = .012), and a reduction in the FEV₁/FVC ratio (G1p = 0.021, G2 p = .007) were observed in individuals with COPD. In G1, the increase in IL-6 concentrations correlated positively with O₃ (r = 0.693; p = .006), and negatively with RAH (r = −0.773; p = .003) in the burning period.

Conclusions

Individuals with COPD exposed to biomass burning demonstrated increased pulmonary inflammation and a reduction in the FEV₁/FVC ratio, regardless of their engagement in PR.