Question

What is the specific cause of PM2.5 in the endocrine damage? Where does it enter to get hypothalamus through the pituatery gland?what disorder can occur in the function of the gland?

Answer 1

PM 2.5 is a particulate matter, complex of solid and liquid particles from numerous sources. It is an important pollutant that deteriorating air quality. PM2.5 is a major risk factor for many health problems like multiorgan dysfunction, cardiovascular disorder etc.

PM 2.5 leads to adverse side effects through many mechanistic pathways that are:

a) Inhalation of this pollutant alters the autonomic balance that leads to sympathetic activation which inturn cause changes in the heart rate.

b) Leads to direct effects on cardiovascular system by directly entering of nanoparticles into the bloodstream.

c) It increases the oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.

PM2.5 pollutant contains the metals that can alter the antioxidative enzymes like glutathione (GSH) which results in the increase ROS (reactive oxygen species), lipid peroxidation and redox imbalance. Rise in the levels of ROS production can damage the DNA and proteins that can cause cancer and apoptosis in the cells.

ROS increases the apoptotic pathway by increase activation of procaspase-1 to caspase-1 that increase the IL-18 production. The rise in the levels of ROS translocates the NFKB transcripton factor into the nucleus that further augments IL-1? production. Both IL-18 and IL-1? production increases the cleavage in endothelial progenitor cell and hence leads to endocrine damage.

PM 2.5 enters the periventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus to increase in sympathetic nervous system. The blood brain barrier is more permeable in the hypothalamic region of the brain.

PM2.5 nanoparticles directly enters into the olfactory areas of the brain through nose and then it spreads to other regions of the brain like hypothalamus or cerebral cortex.