Beta glucans, endotoxins, fatigue, inflammation

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Airways Inflammation and Glucan in a Rowhouse Area

http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/full/157/6/1798

or

http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/reprint/157/6/1798

JÖRGEN THORN and RAGNAR RYLANDER

Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Gothenburg,

Gothenburg, Sweden

ABSTRACT

A study was undertaken in a number of rowhouses, some of which had had

previous problems related to dampness and water leakage. The aim of

the study was to assess the relation between exposure to airborne

(1right-arrow 3)-beta -D-glucan, a cell-wall substance in molds, and

airways inflammation. The study involved 75 houses with indoor

(1right-arrow 3)-beta -D-glucan levels ranging from 0 to 19 ng/m3. Of

170 invited tenants, 129 (76%) participated in the study. A

questionnaire relating to symptoms was used, and measurements were

made of lung function and airway responsiveness. Myeloperoxidase

(MPO), eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), and C-reactive protein

(CRP) were measured in serum. Atopy was determined with the Phadiatop

test. The major findings were a relation between exposure to

(1right-arrow 3)- beta -D-glucan and an increased prevalence of atopy,

a slightly increased amount of MPO, and a decrease in FEV1 over the

number of years lived in the house. The results suggests the

hypothesis that exposure to (1right-arrow 3)-beta -D-glucan or molds

indoors could be associated with signs of a non-specific inflammation.

Arch Environ Health. 1999 May-Jun;54(3):172-9.

Indoor endotoxin and glucan in association with airway

inflammation and systemic symptoms.

Wan GH, Li CS.

Graduate Institute of Public Health, National Taiwan University,

Taipei, Republic of China.

Indoor bioaerosols (i.e., bacteria, fungi, endotoxin, and

beta-1,3-glucan) were determined in daycare centers, office buildings,

and domestic environments in the Taipei area. In addition, we used a

questionnaire survey to determine associations between indoor

dampness, bioaerosols, and airway inflammation and systemic symptoms.

We demonstrated that the median levels of indoor bacteria and fungi

were the highest in daycare centers, followed by those in homes and

office buildings. Similar patterns were observed for endotoxin and

beta-1,3-glucan. The prevalences of airway inflammation and systemic

symptoms were higher for females in office buildings than for

employees in daycare centers; all symptoms were more prevalent in

females than males. With respect to the relationship between

bioaerosol exposure and airway inflammation and systemic symptoms, we

found a strong association between beta-1,3-glucan and

lethargy/fatigue.

Publication Types:

* Comparative Study

PMID: 10444038 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Environ Health Perspect. 1999 Jun;107 Suppl 3:501-3.

Indoor air-related effects and airborne (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan.

Rylander R.

Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Gothenburg,

Sweden.ragnar.rylander@...

In studies on the relation between indoor mold exposure and

symptoms/disease, the exposure should be described in terms of biomass

and not viability. This paper reviews field studies in which (1-->

3)-ss-d-glucan was measured as a marker of biomass and was related to

the extent of symptoms and measures of inflammation among exposed

subjects. Increased levels of (1-->3)-ss-d-glucan were related to an

increased extent of symptoms and markers of inflammation. The data

suggest that (1-->3)-ss-d-glucan can be used as a risk marker in

indoor environments.

PMID: 10346999 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]