Nitric oxide is beneficial to human health in moderate amounts, but excessive environmental exposure can pose a risk.
Neuroinflammation, which is linked to various neurological disorders including autism, may be triggered by exposure to air pollution.
The review pointed out the connection between air pollution, particularly smaller particulates like PM2.5, and autism. It also highlighted the potential negative effects of early exposure to nitric oxide, a component of car exhaust.
The lead author of the review, Haitham Amal, emphasized the experimental link between nitric oxide and autism pathogenesis, suggesting broader implications for neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.
A Closer Look at Nitric Oxide
Nitric oxide, a common air pollutant from vehicle emissions and fossil fuel combustion, has both toxic effects and essential functions in the body.
While the body naturally produces nitric oxide for cardiovascular, respiratory, and immune functions, environmental exposure to this gas can lead to oxidative stress, particularly in individuals prone to inflammatory disorders.
Amal and his team are working on developing a drug to inhibit nitric oxide production, with promising results in preclinical studies.
While the review underscores the potential influence of air pollution on autism, researchers urge a comprehensive examination of other contributing factors, including lifestyle choices and socioeconomic factors.
