The bugs and their droppings can prevent DNA
repair, affect lung function: Study
Dust
mites found in beds and pillows could cause more harm to asthmatic patients
than previously thought. A new study by researchers from NUS-SMART (Singapore-
MIT Alliance for Research and Technology) found that these bugs and their
faecal matter can damage a person's DNA, which can worsen lung inflammation and
lead to cell death if the DNA is not repaired.
Asthma -
or chronic inflammation disease of the airway - affects one in five children
and 5 per cent of adults here. It is characterised by symptoms such as repeated
wheezing, chest tightness and breathlessness. Patients suffer these symptoms
because an immune response is triggered by the body when they inhale allergens.
It is estimated that up to 85 per cent of asthmatic patients are allergic to
dust mites.
In the
latest study, researchers found that dust mites can directly trigger the
production of oxidants known as free radicals, which can damage DNA in cells
lining the airways. DNA is needed for cell repair and if the body is unable to
repair its own DNA, it could lead to cell death, which could compromise lung
function in the long run.
"When
a person's DNA is not adequately repaired, it promotes inflammation in the
bronchial epithelium cells (cells lining the lungs' airways), which are the
first to come into contact with the dust mites," said Ms Chan Tze Khee, a
SMART PhD student at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, who was involved
in the research.
The DNA
repair capacity among individuals varies but the findings suggest that those
with weaker DNA repair capacity could be more susceptible to lung cell death
caused by dust mites, added Ms Chan.
The
study, published earlier this month in the Journal Of Allergy And Clinical
Immunology, was conducted by exposing cultured human lung cells and animal
tissues to dust mites.
Dust
mites are microscopic pests that measure about 300 microns - about two times
the width of a human hair strand. Their faecal matter is 10 times smaller than
the width of a hair strand.
Millions
of dust mites can live in bedding, mattresses, carpets and curtains, but one
way to minimise their presence is to wash the items frequently, researchers
said. As these bugs thrive in dark and moist environments, sunning mattresses
or pillows in the open could help minimise exposure to these bugs.
Lead
investigator of the project Associate Professor Fred Wong from the Department
of Pharmacology at NUS Medicine said that taking more antioxidants such as
Vitamin C may also help to lessen the damaging effects of dust mites.
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