Key result
Elevated PAH metabolites linked to decreased HRV, especially in low-risk subgroups.
Why the study?
The effects of urinary metabolite profiles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and Framingham risk score on heart rate variability were not well understood.
Does environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons affect heart rate variability based on individual cardiovascular risk profiles in adult residents?
Cross-Sectional (n=1,978)
Does environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons affect heart rate variability based on individual cardiovascular risk profiles in adult residents?
p-value: ptrend<0.0001
Environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is associated with reduced heart rate variability, particularly in individuals with lower baseline cardiovascular risk.
PAH metabolites linked to reduced HRV, stronger in low-FRS adults; leaves open differential susceptibility and requires prospective confirmation before clinical consideration.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of the urinary metabolite profiles of background exposure to the atmospheric pollutants polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and Framingham risk score (FRS), which assesses an individual's cardiovascular disease risk, on heart rate variability (HRV). METHODS: The study conducted from April to May 2011 in Wuhan, China, included 1978 adult residents with completed questionnaires, physical examinations, blood and urine samples, and 5-min HRV indices (including SD of all normal to normal intervals (SDNN), root mean square successive difference (rMSSD), low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and their ratio (LF/HF), and total power) obtained from 3-channel Holter monitor. 12 urinary PAH metabolites were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. FRS was calculated by age, sex, lipid profiles, blood pressure, diabetes and smoking status. Linear regression models were constructed after adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Elevated total concentration of hydroxynaphthalene (ΣOHNa) was significantly associated, in a dose-responsive manner, with decreased SDNN and LF/HF (ptrend=0.014 and 0.007, respectively); elevated total concentration of hydroxyfluorene (ΣOHFlu) was significantly associated with reduced SDNN, LF and LF/HF (ptrend=0.027, 0.003, and <0.0001, respectively); and elevated total concentration of all PAH metabolites (ΣOH-PAHs) was associated with decreased LF and LF/HF (ptrend=0.005 and <0.0001, respectively). Moreover, increasing quartiles of FRS were significantly associated with decreased HRV indices, except LF/HF (all ptrend<0.0001). Interestingly, individuals in low-risk subgroups had greater decreases in SDNN, LF and LF/HF in relation to ΣOH-PAHs, ΣOHNa and ΣOHFlu than those in high-risk subgroups (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Environmental PAH exposure may differentially affect HRV based on individual coronary risk profiles.
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Feng et al. (2014) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiovascular disease risk and environmental exposure (n=1,978). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure vs. Lower exposure levels was evaluated on Heart rate variability (HRV) indices including SDNN, LF, and LF/HF (p=ptrend<0.0001). Elevated urinary PAH metabolites were associated with decreased heart rate variability indices (ptrend<0.0001 for LF/HF), with greater decreases observed in low-risk subgroups (p<0.05).
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