Evaluation of the Relationship between the Concentrationof Suspended Particles and the Levels of C-Reactive Proteinin Blood Plasma (Case study of Zahedan)

Epidemiological research pointed to an association between air pollution and increased mortality from cardiovascular complications. There is a relationship between the incidence of cardiovascular complications and increased levels of C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). The present study aimed to determine the relationship between particulate matter concentration (PM10) and C-reactive protein in healthy youth in Zahedan.

This longitudinal study was performed from February 2016 to October 2017. The concentration of suspended particles (PM10) was measured by the environmental method once every 6 days and on all dusty days. Moreover, in different conditions of air pollution, the amount of C-reactive protein in the blood samples of 40 volunteers aged 18-30 years was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationship between biomarkers and different air pollution conditions was investigated using a t-test.

The minimum, mean, and maximum concentrations of suspended particles (PM10) were reported as 30.75±9.8, 187.5±183.44, 2366.75±936.38 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively. The lowest rate is in February and the highest in August. Moreover, the minimum, mean, and maximum concentrations of C-reactive protein were obtained at 12±.96, 3.88±1.69, 9.95±2.39 μg/ml, respectively. Plasma C-reactive protein levels in air pollution conditions were significantly higher than those obtained in normal conditions (P<0.05).

As evidenced by the obtained results, there was a direct relationship between the dust storm and C-reactive protein. Since cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are exacerbated when the concentration of particulate matter is above the standard, health programs and individual care need to receive assiduous attention.