The Role of Eicosanoids in the Cardiovascular Actions of Inhaled Nanoparticles

This study will investigate the biological effects of inhaling different nanoparticles in healthy volunteers. We will compare 4 different types of nanoparticles: diesel exhaust nanoparticles (a nanoparticle with a complex mixture of chemicals), carbon black nanoparticles (a 'simple, clean' carbon nanoparticle) and two different sizes of graphene oxide (flat flakes of carbon), as well as inhalation of filtered air for comparison. Volunteers will be split randomly into 2 groups and each will be exposed to 3 nanoparticles, separately in a randomised order, with at least 2 weeks between the exposures (Cohort study with double blind randomised cross over design).

Screening visit 30 healthy non-smoking volunteers will be recruited. The volunteer will attend a screening visit at the Clinical Research Facility (CRF) at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE). Eligibility will be confirmed and consent taken. Baseline measurements of lung function (FEV1, FVC), blood pressure and blood biochemistry will be made. The participant will be asked to perform a short exercise test on a stationary bicycle to determine the bicycle workload for the main study.

Study visit On each visit, baseline measures will be taken at the CRF. The participant will be taken to a mobile facility to breathe in a set level of nanoparticles (target concentration of 200 micrograms per cubic metre) via a facemask for 2 hours while intermittently cycling. The mobile exposure chamber allows for volunteers to inhale specific air pollutants (typical of an urban environment), nanoparticles or gases at precise concentrations while exercising. Nanoparticles will be obtained as standard reference materials or by custom synthesis at the National Graphene Institute at the University of Manchester. All suspensions of nanoparticles are well characterised, free of contamination and have been extensively tested in preclinical models.

After the exposure the participant will return to the CRF and lung function and blood pressure re-measured. Blood will be withdrawn through a cannula in a large vein in the arm at set times after the exposure (15 min, 2h, 4h) for measurement of eicosanoids and other indicators of a haematological response (e.g. an inflammatory response). Blood will be slowly withdrawn (10 mL/min for 5 min) through a tube into a small piece of equipment called a Badimon Chamber which gives a measure of how readily the blood clots. The responsiveness of blood vessels in the arm will then be measured by a technique called forearm plethysmography. Here cuffs are inflated around the wrist and top of the arm and the blood flow is measured by a sensitive gauge around the forearm. Two different vasodilator drugs (acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside) will be infused into an artery in the arm to see how the nanoparticle exposure has altered the way the blood vessels of the arm respond to these drugs. Blood will also be taken after each drug to measure substances that are release from the wall of arteries to give further indication of the health of the artery. The cannula will be removed and lung function and blood pressure will be re-measured. The participant will be allowed to rest, provided with food and drink, before leaving the hospital.

Biological samples (blood and urine) will be used to measure a range of cardiovascular parameters at the RIE and the University of Edinburgh. The primary endpoint for the study is the measurement of a panel of lipid mediators called eicosanoids, which will be performed by our collaborators at the University of Highlands and Islands who have specialised lipidomic facilities and experience in this area.