Woodsmoke Exposure and Cardiovascular Function

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Air pollution is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Wood smoke is a common air in many parts of the world and previous studies indicate that wood smoke induce oxidative stress in the respiratory tract. It is not determined how different types of biomass combustion affect human health. In this study the investigators plan to investigate how inhalation of wood smoke and pellets smoke affect respiratory and cardiovascular health.

Official Title
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Cardiovascular Effects of Experimental Exposure to Woodsmoke in Man

Conditions
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Respiratory Inflammation, Systemic Inflammation

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Bronchoscopy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Healthy volunteers Exclusion Criteria: Use of regular medication except the oral contraceptive pill Current smokers Significant occupation exposure to air pollution Intercurrent illness

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Filtered air exposure<br>3 hour exposure to filtered air with intermittent exercise | Other: Bronchoscopy<br>* 24 hours after exposure, a bronchoscopy will be performed to allow analysis of cells and inflammatory markers in bronchial wash, bronchioalveolar lavage and lung biopsies.<br>|
| Experimental: Wood smoke exposure<br>3 hour exposure to dilute wood smoke generated from incomplete combustion in a wood burning stove at approximately 300 mcg/m3 | Other: Bronchoscopy<br>* 24 hours after exposure, a bronchoscopy will be performed to allow analysis of cells and inflammatory markers in bronchial wash, bronchioalveolar lavage and lung biopsies.<br>|
| Experimental: Wood pellet smoke emission<br>3 hour exposure to dilute wood smoke generated from wood pellets during incomplete combustion during intermittent exercise at approximately 300 mcg/m3 | Other: Bronchoscopy<br>* 24 hours after exposure, a bronchoscopy will be performed to allow analysis of cells and inflammatory markers in bronchial wash, bronchioalveolar lavage and lung biopsies.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Respiratory inflammation | Bronchoscopy will be performed, and samples collected by bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchial biopsy. Samples will be analysed for cell counts, histology and inflammatory markers. | 24 hours after exposure to air or woodsmoke | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Central arterial stiffness | Central arterial stiffness will be measured at baseline and for the 1 hour following the exposure using the SphygmoCor and Vicorder devices | Baseline and for 1 hour after exposure | 
| Heart rate variability | Continuous electrocardiograms will be recorded using a holter monitor to determine heart rate variability | 24 hours after the exposure | 
| Systemic inflammation | Blood samples will be taken at intervals following the exposure to woodsmoke to measure circulating inflammatory markers | 24 hours after the exposure | 
| Lung function | Lung function will be assessed using spirometry before and after each exposure | Baseline and 24hrs after exposure | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Wood smoke, inflammation, lung function, arterial stiffness, heart rate variability, Respiratory and systemic inflammation following exposure to woodsmoke in healthy volunteers