Inflammation is a comprehensive set of physiological processes that an organism undertakes in response to a wide variety of foreign stimuli, such as viruses, bacteria, and inorganic particles. A key role is played by cytokines, protein-based chemical mediators produced by a broad range of cells, including the immune cells recruited in the inflammation site. The aim of this systematic review is to compare baseline values of pro/anti-inflammatory biomarkers measured in Exhaled Breath Condensate (EBC) in healthy, non-smoking adults to provide a summary of the concentrations reported in the literature. We focused on: interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and C reactive protein (CRP). Eligible articles were identified in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL. Due to the wide differences in methodologies employed in the included articles concerning EBC sampling, storage, and analyses, research protocols were assessed specifically to test their adherence to the ATS/ERS Task Force guidelines on EBC. The development of reference intervals for these biomarkers can result in their introduction and use in both research and clinical settings, not only for monitoring purposes but also, in the perspective of future longitudinal studies, as predictive parameters for the onset and development of chronic diseases with inflammatory aetiology.

Despite the toxicity and health risk characteristics of formaldehyde (FA), it is currently used as a cytological fixative and the definition of safe exposure levels is still a matter of debate. Our aim was to investigate the alterations in both oxidative and inflammatory status in a hospital working population. The 68 workers recruited wore a personal air-FA passive sampler, provided a urine sample to measure 15-F_2t-Isoprostane (15-F_2t-IsoP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and a blood specimen to measure tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα). Subjects were also genotyped for GSTT1 (Presence/Absence), GSTM1 (Presence/Absence), CYP1A1 exon 7 (A > G), and IL6 (−174, G > C). Workers were ex post split into formalin-employers (57.3 μg/m³) and non-employers (13.5 μg/m³). In the formalin-employers group we assessed significantly higher levels of 15-F_2t-IsoP, MDA and TNFα (<0.001) in comparison to the non-employers group. The air-FA levels turned out to be positively correlated with 15-F_2t-IsoP (p = 0.027) and MDA (p < 0.001). In the formalin-employers group the MDA level was significantly higher in GSTT1 Null (p = 0.038), GSTM1 Null (p = 0.031), and CYP1A1 exon 7 mutation carrier (p = 0.008) workers, compared to the wild type subjects. This study confirms the role of FA in biomolecular profiles alterations, highlighting how low occupational exposure can also result in measurable biological outcomes.

Background: Vitamin D intake and synthesis are essential. Vitamin D deficiency is increasing across all age groups, raising concerns regarding public health. Serum 25(OH)D is measured to define vitamin D deficiency. However, its quantification in non-invasively collected biological matrices is still poorly studied. This study aimed to assess 25(OH)D levels in unconventional matrices using cost-effective analytical methods. Methods: Serum, urine, and saliva were collected from 62 healthy, non-smoking volunteers, 25–44 years of age. Biological samples were analysed using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The serum was additionally analysed via the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA), which was used as a benchmark. Results: We observed a linear correlation (Pearson r = 0.44; p = 0.05) between the benchmark and ELISA-measured 25(OH)D urinary levels. After stratification by sex, the correlation was stronger and significant only in females (Pearson r = 0.62; p = 0.04). Salivary 25(OH)D levels did not correlate with serum levels for both ELISA and CMIA measures. Subjects with a CMIA serum-based deficiency showed lower urinary 25(OH)D levels (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Our study opens up the possibility of using urinary 25(OH)D levels as a proxy measurement of vitamin D. Such an approach may allow future investigations on the association between environmental factors and vitamin D assessed in non-invasively collected biological matrices via cost-effective analytical methods.

Nanomaterials (NMs) are in high demand for a wide range of practical applications; however, comprehensively understanding the toxicity of these materials is a complex challenge, due to the limited availability of epidemiological evidence on the human health effects arising from workplace exposures. The aim of this work is to assess whether and how urinary metal concentrations could be reliable and useful in NM biomonitoring. In the framework of “NanoExplore Project” [EU LIFE17 Grant ENV/GR/000285], 43 not-exposed subjects and 40 exposed workers were recruited to measure exposure to NMs (PCN and LDSA) in the proximity of the workstations and biological biomarkers (urinary metal concentrations—Aluminum (Al), Silica (Si), Titanium (Ti), and Chromium (Cr); urinary OS biomarkers—TAP, Isop, and MDA). The results showed that Si and Ti were directly associated with NM exposure (both PCN and LDSA), as well as with OS biomarkers, especially in exposed workers. Moreover, the mediation analyses showed that Si could account for about 2.8% in the relationship between LDSA and OS biomarkers, possibly by decreasing OS antioxidant defenses in exposed people. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that occupational exposure to mixtures containing NMs can represent an underestimated hazard for exposed people, increasing the body burden and the oxidative balance.