In the groundbreaking study published in the journal Eco-Environment & Health, researchers have made a pivotal discovery concerning asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR). This work underscores the critical roles of indoor microorganisms and metabolites, shedding new light on the environmental factors that trigger these prevalent respiratory conditions.
Indoor Metabolites: A Chemical Fingerprint of the Home Environment
This study, conducted by researchers in China and Malaysia, takes a novel approach by focusing on indoor metabolites and chemicals – the products of both microbial and human activity in the home environment. Using high-throughput technologies, the team compared the dust composition of homes with children diagnosed with asthma, AR, or both, with homes of healthy children. The analysis revealed distinct differences in the chemical profiles of the two groups. Homes with diseased children had higher levels of mycotoxins (toxic fungal metabolites) and synthetic chemicals like herbicides, insecticides, and food/cosmetic additives. Conversely, homes of healthy children were enriched with beneficial environmental microbes and metabolites like keto acids, indoles, pyridines, and flavonoids (astragalin and hesperidin). Excitingly, the researchers developed a model based on these characteristic metabolites and chemicals that could accurately predict the prevalence of asthma and AR in an independent dataset from Malaysia. This suggests that analyzing dust for its chemical fingerprint may be a more reliable and consistent way to assess environmental risk for these diseases than studying the complex and variable microbiome.
Towards a "Metabolically Healthy" Home Environment
The study's findings pave the way for exciting new possibilities in preventing and managing childhood asthma and AR. By testing for specific metabolites in household dust, we could potentially identify homes with unhealthy chemical profiles and implement targeted interventions. This could involve promoting the growth of beneficial microbes through probiotic sprays or adjusting ventilation systems to reduce toxin exposure.
In conclusion, this study marks a significant shift in our understanding of the environmental factors contributing to childhood asthma and AR. By prioritizing indoor metabolites and chemicals, we may finally have a robust and practical tool for environmental assessment and, ultimately, the creation of "metabolically healthy" homes for our children.
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References
DOI
10.1016/j.eehl.2023.08.001
Original Source URL
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2023.08.001
Funding information
The National Natural Science Foundation of China (81861138005); The Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (2020A1515010845 and 2021A1515010492); The Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou (202102080362); Shanghai B&R Joint Laboratory (22230750300); The Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet) project (2017-05845).
About Eco-Environment & Health
Eco-Environment & Health (EEH) is an international and multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal designed for publications on the frontiers of the ecology, environment and health as well as their related disciplines. EEH focuses on the concept of “One Health” to promote green and sustainable development, dealing with the interactions among ecology, environment and health, and the underlying mechanisms and interventions. Our mission is to be one of the most important flagship journals in the field of environmental health. (VP/Newswise)