Airborne Ultrafine and Fine Particulate Matter: A Cause for Endothelial Dysfunction in Man?

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine biological pathways of altered blood vessel function resulting from breathing airborne particulate. Blood artery function in healthy men will be measured after particulate exposure either on placebo or on an asthma medication that stops production of an inflammatory biological agent. Lung and blood profiles will be obtained before and after exposure to exhaust fumes. We believe that the inflammatory agent produced by the lungs from breathing these particles causes abnormal artery function.
ConditionAirway Inflammation
InterventionOther: placebo
Drug: Montelukast
PhaseN/A
SponsorMarywood University
Responsible PartyMarywood University
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT00814281
First ReceivedDecember 22, 2008
Last UpdatedMay 20, 2009
Last verifiedMay 2009

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateDecember 22, 2008
Last Updated DateMay 20, 2009
Start DateMay 2007
Estimated Primary Completion DateMay 2009
Current Primary Outcome MeasuresExposure to airborne ultrafine and fine particulate matter causes vascular dysfunction. [Time Frame: February 2009] [Designated as safety issue: No]
Current Secondary Outcome MeasuresMontelukast protects against pollution induced vascular dysfunction. [Time Frame: February 2009] [Designated as safety issue: No]

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleAirborne Ultrafine and Fine Particulate Matter: A Cause for Endothelial Dysfunction in Man?
Official TitleAirborne Ultrafine and Fine Particulate Matter: A Cause for Endothelial Dysfunction in Man?
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to examine biological pathways of altered blood vessel function
resulting from breathing airborne particulate. Blood artery function in healthy men will be
measured after particulate exposure either on placebo or on an asthma medication that stops
production of an inflammatory biological agent. Lung and blood profiles will be obtained
before and after exposure to exhaust fumes. We believe that the inflammatory agent produced
by the lungs from breathing these particles causes abnormal artery function.
Detailed Description
Hourly ice resurfacing by gas and propane fueled machines creates high levels of ultrafine
and fine particulate matter (PM1) in indoor ice rinks. PM1 exposure may disrupt the normal
nitric oxide (NO)/endothelin (ET)-1 vasodilation system and promote atherosclerosis, and/or
increase the risk of an acute cardiac event. Our specific aims are 1) to determine whether
impaired endothelial-mediated vasodilation and forearm muscle tissue reoxygenation rate and
blood volume change (to reactive hyperemia following artery occlusion) is associated with
combustion-derived PM1 exposure, and 2) To characterize a PM1 induced mechanism of
endothelial dysfunction which occurs via a leukotriene (LT)-associated, airway generated
tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) mediated pathway. Healthy low PM1 exposed males will be
evaluated for endothelial dysfunction before and after artery occlusion using high
resolution ultrasound and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), before and after moderate
exercise in blinded high and low [PM1]. Endothelial dysfunction among chronically PM¬1
exposed ice rink athletes will be determined to evaluate the feasibility of using this
population as a model in future studies. TNF-a, IL-8, LTB4, LTC4, LTD4, LTE4, ET-1, NO, and
differential cell counts will be measured in sputum and serum. [PM1] will be monitored and
exposure levels will be typical of indoor ice rinks. LT involvement will be assessed in vivo
by double-blind pharmacological manipulation during PM1 exposure during light exercise.
Results will demonstrate whether endothelial-mediated vasodilation and muscle hemodynamics
are influenced by PM1 exposure, and will elucidate an LT initiated TNF-a mediated pathway in
ET-1 upregulation. Our results should provide information for understanding the effects of
PM1 exposure on the atherosclerotic process and cardiovascular risk, and give insight to
novel treatment and diagnostic modalities.
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhaseN/A
Study DesignAllocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator), Primary Purpose: Basic Science
ConditionAirway Inflammation
InterventionOther: placebo
Placebo
Other Names:
Sugar PillDrug: Montelukast
10 mg ingested orally 1 hour prior to exercise testing
Other Names:
Singulair
Study Arm (s)
  • Placebo Comparator: 1
    Subject will exercise in high levels of ultrafine and fine particulate air pollution 1 hour after ingesting a placebo.
  • Placebo Comparator: 2
    Subject will exercise in low levels of ultrafine and fine particulate air pollution 1 hour after ingesting a placebo.
  • Experimental: 3
    Subject will exercise in high levels of ultrafine and fine particulate air pollution 1 hour after ingesting Montelukast 10 mg orally.
  • Experimental: 4
    Subject will exercise in low levels of ultrafine and fine particulate air pollution 1 hour after ingesting Montelukast 10 mg orally.

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusCompleted
Estimated Enrollment24
Estimated Completion DateMay 2009
Estimated Primary Completion DateMarch 2009
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- Healthy male subjects

- between 18 and 30 years of age

- participant in endurance sport

Exclusion Criteria:

- history of blood clotting

- history of coagulation problems

- History of spontaneous pneumothorax
GenderMale
Ages18 Years
Accepts Healthy VolunteersAccepts Healthy Volunteers
ContactsNot Provided
Location CountriesUnited States

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT00814281
Other Study ID NumbersMU2007-005
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeNo
Information Provided ByMarywood University
Study SponsorMarywood University
CollaboratorsNot Provided
Investigators Principal Investigator: Kenneth W Rundell, PhD Marywood University
Verification DateMay 2009

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

Marywood University
Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States, 18509