Antioxidant diet/lifestyle could mitigate the adverse impacts of urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on lung function.

BACKGROUND

Extant research has demonstrated a correlation between exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and impaired lung function. The maintenance of an antioxidant-rich diet/lifestyle positively benefits pulmonary health. However, the potential ameliorative impact of an antioxidant-based diet/lifestyle on PAH-induced detrimental effects remains unclear.

METHODS

The study drew upon cross-sectional data encompassing 1615 participants derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007 to 2012. To gauge the maintenance of an antioxidant-rich diet/lifestyle, we employed Oxidative Balance Score (OBS) that incorporates sixteen nutrients and four lifestyle factors. Lung function was evaluated using percent-predicted Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume 1st Second (FEV), FEV/FVC, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO). Our analytical approach entailed the utilization of weighted linear models.

RESULTS

Our analysis unveiled interaction effects between urinary monohydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) and OBS concerning lung function. A one-unit increase in ∑OH-PAH (sum of eight OH-PAHs) was linked to a -0.75% reduction (95% CI: -1.28, -0.22) in FEV/FVC. Individuals exhibiting low OBS displayed a marked decrease in FEV/FVC (mean difference = -1.10%; 95% CI: -1.82, -0.39) for each unit increase in ∑OH-PAH, whereas no significant associations were discerned for those with medium or high OBS. Further stratification by gender yielded consistent results. The correlation between ∑OH-PAH and FENO proved statistically significant among participants with low OBS (P = 0.002) and medium OBS (P = 0.001), but non-significant for those with high OBS. Parallel findings emerged when examining percent-predicted FEV and FVC.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, our study underscores the existence of statistically significant interactions between OH-PAHs and the maintenance of an antioxidant-rich diet and lifestyle concerning lung function. These findings underscore the pivotal role of maintaining an antioxidant-based diet and lifestyle in mitigating the adverse impacts of PAH exposure on lung function.