Urban air and tobacco smoke as conditions that increase the risk of oxidative stress and respiratory response in youth

BACKGROUND. Air pollution and tobacco smoke can induce negative effects on the human health and often leads to the formation of oxidative stress. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of the urbanization degree and of passive exposure to tobacco smoke in the formation of oxidative stress. Thus, a group of non-smoking adolescents was recruited among those who live and attend school in areas with three different population densities. To each subject a spot of urine was collected to quantify 15-F2t isoprostane as a marker of oxidative stress and cotinine as a marker of passive exposure to tobacco smoke. Furthermore, respiratory functionality was also measured. RESULTS. Multiple Linear Regression analysis results showed a direct correlation (p<0.0001) of 15-F2t isoprostane with both the urbanization and passive smoke. Lung function parameters proved significantly lower for the subjects living in the most populous city of Torino. CONCLUSION. This remarks the negative effect that urbanization has on the respiratory conditions. Lastly, lung functionality presented a low inverse correlation with 15-F2t isoprostane, suggesting an independent mechanism than that of the urban factor.