Impact of PM2.5 exposure on plasma metabolome in healthy adults during air pollution waves: A randomized, crossover trial

Air pollution, especially PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 mu m) in China, is severe and related to a variety of diseases while the potential mechanisms have not been clearly clarified yet. This study was conducted using a randomized crossover trial protocol among young and healthy college students. Plasma samples were collected before, during, and post two typical air pollution waves with a washout interval of at least 2 weeks under true and sham air purification treatments, respectively. A total of 144 blood samples from 24 participants were included in the final analysis. Metabolomics analysis for the plasma samples was completed by Ultrahigh Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discrimination Analysis (OPLS-DA) and linear mixed-effect models were used to identify the differentially

Automated summary

This study used a randomized crossover trial protocol to investigate the effects of air pollution on young and healthy college students in China. Metabolomics analysis of plasma samples showed differential levels of metabolites in response to air pollution.