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Research highlights:
- Exposure to high temperatures can impair cells in the immune system that remember certain viruses and bacteria and produce too many signaling molecules that can cause inflammation.
- Previous studies, which tested participants’ blood on hot summer days, have primarily investigated only the effect of temperature. Analysis of levels of immune signaling molecules or inflammatory markers was not included.
embargoed until 3:00 PM Central Time/4:00 PM E.T.Tuesday, March 19, 2024
CHICAGO, March 19, 2024 — Preliminary research shows that short-term exposure to high heat can increase inflammation and interfere with the body’s normal immune system function, resulting in increased susceptibility to infections. and may accelerate the progression of cardiovascular disease. This paper will be presented at the American Heart Association Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Science Session 2024, March 18-21 in Chicago. This conference will provide the latest science on population-based health and wellness and lifestyle influences.
Inflammation is part of the body’s normal defense against injury and infection, but inflammatory responses that persist for long periods of time, from weeks to months, or that occur in healthy tissue can be damaging and lead to plaque buildup in the body. plays an important role in the accumulation of artery. This can lead to atherosclerosis. Heat waves are known to promote inflammation, but studies examining temperature and inflammation biomarkers have yielded mixed results.
“Most studies only consider temperature as the exposure of interest, which may not be sufficient to capture a person’s response to heat,” said study lead author Danielle, the Christina Lee Brown Assistant Professor of Medicine. – Dr. W. Riggs said. Environmental Research Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky. “In our study, we investigated the short-term effects of heat exposure and used surrogate measurements of heat related to multiple markers of inflammation and immune response in the body to more fully understand its health implications. I used it.”
Participants visited a research facility in Louisville over the summer for blood tests, and researchers analyzed their blood for multiple markers of immune system function. The researchers then looked at associations between heat levels and markers of immune system function, including the day’s temperature, net effective temperature (which takes into account relative humidity, air temperature, and wind speed), and the Global Heat Climate Index (UTCI). Ta. The UTCI is a thermophysiological model developed by the International Biometeorological Society Committee that takes into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, and UV light levels, and was used to assess the physical comfort of participants.
The analysis revealed the following:
- For every 5 degree increase in UTCI (corresponding to a change from a day of no heat stress to a day of moderate heat stress in the study, Riggs said), monocytes, an important marker of inflammation, decreased level has increased. Blood eosinophils (9.5%), natural killer T cells (9.9%), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (7.0%). These immune molecules represent activation of the body’s innate immune system, which triggers a rapid and non-specific inflammatory response throughout the body to protect against pathogens and injury.
- A decrease in B cells (-6.8%) indicates a decline in the body’s adaptive immune system, which remembers certain viruses and bacteria and produces antibodies to fight them.
- It was found that heat, measured by 24-hour average temperature or net effective temperature (which does not include sunlight but takes into account humidity and wind), has less of an impact on the immune system.
“While our study participants were exposed to only a small amount of high temperature on the day of their blood test, even small exposures can contribute to changes in immune markers,” Riggs said. “As global temperatures rise, the association between heat exposure and a temporary reduction in immune system response, as temperature and humidity are known to be important environmental factors for airborne infections. Therefore, during the hottest days of summer, people are at higher risk of heat exposure and may also be more susceptible to illness and inflammation.”
Adults over the age of 60 and those with existing cardiovascular disease are particularly at risk for heat-related cardiovascular events and death, Riggs explained. You can reduce your exposure to heat waves by staying indoors during the hours when temperatures are highest and sunlight is strongest. Seeking shade. Wear light, breathable clothing. And drink lots of water.
“It is important for physicians to communicate with patients about the risk of adverse health effects from heat exposure. For example, cardiologists can conduct customized consultations and assessments to increase patient awareness of the effects of high temperatures. It may also be important to consider changes to your treatment plan to address other risks. For example, some medications may increase your susceptibility to heat-related illness. , and some drugs may become less effective when the body is exposed to high temperatures,” Riggs said.
Research details and background:
- Participants included 624 adults. The average age of participants was 49.5 years. 59% of participants were female. And 77% identify as white.
- Data was collected from May to September in 2018 and 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. The average 24-hour temperature on clinic visit days during the study period was 24.5 degrees Celsius/76 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The researchers looked at the levels of cytokines (signaling molecules that can cause inflammation) in the participants’ blood. Natural killer cells and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Monocytes (white blood cells); B cells (white blood cells that produce antibodies that fight certain infections).
- Thermal data collected on the same day as the participant’s blood draw included 24-hour average body temperature, net effective body temperature, and UTCI.
- Researchers analyzed the association between increases in fever indicators and changes in immune system measurements. Results were adjusted for several individual factors, including participants’ age, current tobacco use, and years of education.
The main limitation of this study is that it included participant blood testing at a single time point. Furthermore, the researchers did not know how long the individuals had been exposed to outdoor heat stress before the blood was drawn. Future studies will include research plans to look at changes over time and possibly examine the ability of parks and other green spaces to reduce the negative effects of high temperatures on inflammation in the body.
Co-authors, their disclosures, and funding sources are listed in the abstract.
Research statements and conclusions presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of the association. The Association makes no representations or warranties regarding its accuracy or reliability. Abstracts presented at the Society’s scientific conferences are not peer-reviewed, but are selected by an independent review committee and considered based on their potential to increase the diversity of scientific issues and views discussed at the conference. The findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
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Additional resources:
The American Heart Association’s EPI|Lifestyle Science Sessions 2024 is the world’s premier conference dedicated to the latest advances in population-based science. The 2024 conference will be in-person only. Held Monday through Thursday, March 18th through March 21st at the Hilton Chicago. The primary objective of this conference is to promote the development and application of translational and population science to prevent heart disease and stroke and promote cardiovascular health. This session focuses on risk factors, obesity, nutrition, physical activity, genetics, metabolism, biomarkers, subclinical disease, clinical disease, healthy populations, global health and prevention-oriented clinical trials . The Epidemiology and Prevention Council, the Lifestyle Council and the Cardiometabolic Health (Lifestyle) Council jointly planned EPI|Lifestyle Science Sessions 2024. Follow the conference on Twitter. #EPILifestyle24.
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