Impact of antioxidants on PM2.5 oxidative potential, radical level, and cytotoxicity

Wang，Yixiang1,2; Xing，Chunbo1,2; Cai，Baohua1,2; Qiu，Wenhui1; Zhai，Jinghao1,2; Zeng，Yaling1,2; Zhang，Antai1,2; Shi，Shao1,2; Zhang，Yujie1,2; Yang，Xin1,2; Fu，Tzung May1,2; Shen，Huizhong1,2; Wang，Chen1,2; Zhu，Lei1,2; Ye，Jianhuai1,2

2024-02-20

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169555

Science of the Total Environment   影响因子和分区

0048-9697

1879-1026

Antioxidants are typically seen as agents that mitigate environmental health risks due to their ability to scavenge free radicals. However, our research presents a paradox where these molecules, particularly those within lung fluid, act as prooxidants in the presence of airborne particulate matter (PM), thus enhancing PM oxidative potential (OP). In our study, we examined a range of antioxidants found in the respiratory system (e.g., vitamin C, glutathione (GSH), and N-acetylcysteine (NAC)), in plasma (vitamin A, vitamin E, and β-carotene), and in food (tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ)). We aimed to explore antioxidants' prooxidant and antioxidant interactions with PM and the resulting OP and cytotoxicity. We employed [rad]OH generation assays and electron paramagnetic resonance assays to assess the pro-oxidative and anti-oxidative effects of antioxidants. Additionally, we assessed cytotoxicity interaction using a Chinese hamster ovary cell cytotoxicity assay. Our findings revealed that, in the presence of PM, all antioxidants except vitamin E significantly increased the PM OP by generating more [rad]OH radicals ([rad]OH generation rate: 0.16–24.67 pmol·min·m). However, it's noteworthy that these generated [rad]OH radicals were at least partially neutralized by the antioxidants themselves. Among the pro-oxidative antioxidants, vitamin A, β-carotene, and TBHQ showed the least ability to quench these radicals, consistent with their observed impact in enhancing PM cytotoxicity (PM LC reduced to 91.2 %, 88.8 %, and 75.1 % of PM's original level, respectively). Notably, vitamin A and TBHQ-enhanced PM OP were strongly associated with the presence of metals and organic compounds, particularly with copper (Cu) contributing significantly (35 %) to TBHQ's pro-oxidative effect. Our study underscores the potential health risks associated with the interaction between antioxidants and ambient pollutants.

Antioxidants Cytotoxicity Oxidative potential PM2.5 PM2.5 components Pro-oxidative and anti-oxidative effects

EI

英语

第一 ; 通讯

ENVIRONMENT/ECOLOGY

2-s2.0-85181159884

Scopus

1.Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks,School of Environmental Science and Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China
2.Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Coastal Atmosphere and Climate of the Greater Bay Area,Shenzhen,518055,China

Wang，Yixiang,Xing，Chunbo,Cai，Baohua,et al. Impact of antioxidants on PM2.5 oxidative potential, radical level, and cytotoxicity[J]. Science of the Total Environment,2024,912.

Wang，Yixiang.,Xing，Chunbo.,Cai，Baohua.,Qiu，Wenhui.,Zhai，Jinghao.,...&Ye，Jianhuai.(2024).Impact of antioxidants on PM2.5 oxidative potential, radical level, and cytotoxicity.Science of the Total Environment,912.

Wang，Yixiang,et al."Impact of antioxidants on PM2.5 oxidative potential, radical level, and cytotoxicity".Science of the Total Environment 912(2024).