Nasal albumin in a population exposed for the first time to urban pollution

Background. High levels of albumin in some biological fluids are generally associated with abnormal process of permeation during an inflammatory respo nse. In some cases, the nasal albumin levels can be used as an indirect mol ecular marker of epithelial damage. Methods. We carried out an evaluation study of nasal albumin from a populat ion (14 volunteers), exposed for 15 days to high urban pollution (O-3 10.64 4 ppm/h average 10.2 h/day) in Mexico City for the first time, and when the y returned to their original non-polluted city (Veracruz, State of Veracruz , Mexico) 13 days later. The nasal albumin samples were fractionated by gel electrophoresis techniques, and albumin determination analyses were done b y gel scanning. The densitometry values obtained from the albumin-stained b ands were compared with an internal standard and the average values compare d with other groups used as reference, under conditions of non-polluted and polluted cities, Results, Our findings showed in the group exposed to pollution for the firs t time a significant increment 2 days after entering Mexico City urban poll ution. They, subsequently, had a progressive recovery 4 days later up to da y 13 in their original place of residence, The reference groups for compari son were from a non-polluted city (at sea level on the Pacific Ocean) Manza nillo, Colima, Mexico, and a very polluted urban metropolis (Mexico City). The group showed a significant difference of protein levels about 2.5 highe r apparently at the expense of albumin. These populations were permanent re sidents of environmental conditions we wanted to evaluate, Our approach was to monitor quantitatively the time course of the change of a biochemical p arameter in normal mucus from a population never exposed to Mexico City urb an pollution. Conclusions. Our conclusions from this study point out that pollution cause s diverse mucosal damage that can be followed by biochemical monitoring, (C ) 2000 IMSS, Published by Elsevier Science Inc.