UK scientists have shown how exhaust pollution from diesel engines is able to affect nerves within the lung and causes respiratory distress.

The researchers used pharmacological and genetic knock out tools to understand how the diesel extract activated the airway nerves. They found that the responses to the diesel extract were driven by activation of the TRP ankryin-1 (TRPA1) channel. They also discovered that application of an antioxidant abolished the responses to the extract.
However, researchers stressed that this is only the first step towards understanding how air pollution affects airway sensory nerves and respiratory reflexes. "Whether other types of fuel activate airway nerves remains to be seen, and it is even possible that they may have a far more potent effect in this area than diesel. It will also be crucial to determine whether increased activation of sensory nerves explains why some are more susceptible to the effects of air pollution than others," said the researchers.
The study was presented at the 13th European Respiratory Society Lung Science Conference.
Source-Medindia