Researchers unveil a crucial connection between asthma and allergic rhinitis in a new study.
Indoor metabolites and chemicals outperform microbiome in classifying childhood asthma and allergic rhinitis
Go to source). 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.
Asthma
It''s a lung condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchi and constriction of the airways that result in coughing, wheezing or breathlessness. Allergy and other airway irritants can trigger it
It''s a lung condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchi and constriction of the airways that result in coughing, wheezing or breathlessness. Allergy and other airway irritants can trigger it
‘Significant influence of indoor microorganisms and metabolites on asthma and allergic rhinitis provides insights into environmental triggers for these respiratory conditions.
#asthma, #allergicrhinitis, #environment
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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, the homes of healthy children were enriched with beneficial environmental microbes and metabolites like keto acids, indoles, pyridines, and flavonoids (astragalin and hesperidin).
Cracking the Code of Allergic Rhinitis Triggers
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.
The study's findings pave the way for new possibilities in preventing and managing childhood asthma and AR.
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Occupational Asthma
Occupational Asthma (OA) is a lung disorder that occurs due to exposure to toxic substances at the workplace. The mainstay of management of OA is reduction of exposure to the toxic substances.
Occupational Asthma (OA) is a lung disorder that occurs due to exposure to toxic substances at the workplace. The mainstay of management of OA is reduction of exposure to the toxic substances.
This could involve promoting the growth of beneficial microbes through probiotic sprays or adjusting ventilation systems to reduce toxin exposure.
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Tests for Asthma
Do you find it difficult to breathe especially during the cold weather? You may need to get tested for asthma, a respiratory condition that is induced by allergies.
Do you find it difficult to breathe especially during the cold weather? You may need to get tested for asthma, a respiratory condition that is induced by allergies.
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.
Reference:
- Indoor metabolites and chemicals outperform microbiome in classifying childhood asthma and allergic rhinitis - (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772985023000406?via%3Dihub)
Source-Eurekalert
