b'AirthritisOne of the greatest harms to humanOrganization, is a major risk to healthChlorophyll and health from environmental air pollutionand 99% of the population worldwide isStroke Prevention(such as from car exhaust and industry)living in places where recommendations is inflammation. A possible connectionfor air quality are not met. An importantAccording to a study from Spain, peo-between long-term exposure to air pol- goal of the study was to explore the as- ple who live in places with green spaces lution and risk of autoimmune diseasessociation between exposure to air pollu- within 300 meters have a 16% lower risk has been investigated in a retrospectivetion and autoimmune diseases, especiallyof suffering an ischemic stroke, the most study in Italy. 81,363 subjects with diag- rheumatoidarthritis,connective-tissuecommon type of cerebrovascular disease. noses of various immune-mediated dis- diseases, and inflammatory bowel dis- On the other hand, the risk of stroke is eases were included in the study. Dataeases.Long-termexposuretoairpol- increased from exposure to air pollutants, on the monitoring of particulate matterlution was found to increase the risk ofsuch as fine particulate matter and nitro-concentrations in the air were retrieveddeveloping such immune-mediated dis- gen dioxide (NO2). The researchers ana-from the Italian [National] Institute foreases by 10%.lyzed data of more than three and a half Environmental Protection and ResearchAdami G, Pontalti M, Cattani G, et al., Associ- million people in the Catalonia region of (ISPRA). According to Giovanni Adami,ation between long-term exposure to air pollutionSpain. The data collected for the study the lead researcher, Environmental airand immune-mediated diseases: a population-basedincluded the levels of particulate mat-pollution, according to the World Healthcohort study, RMD Open, 2022, 8(1): e002055;ter smaller than 2.5 microns, nitrogen doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-002055. dioxide, and soot particles at the place of residence of each person studied. In addition,thenumberanddensityof Acid on the Brain green spaces within a 300-meter radius of their homes were studied. The results Recent research reveals that oleic acid,TLX has become a druggable target,of the data analysis indicated a direct an endogenous fatty acid, is an import- meaning that knowing how it is activatedrelationship between increased levels ant modulator of cognitive function andnaturally in the brain helps us to developof NO2 in the atmosphere and the risk regeneration of neurons. Oleic acid pro- drugs capable of entering the brain andof ischemic stroke. It showed that the duced in the brain is an essential regula- stimulating neurogenesis. This strategyrisk increases by 4% for every increase tor of a process called adult hippocampalcould potentially be used to treat diseasesof 10 micrograms (g) per cubic meter. neurogenesis that enables learning andsuch as major depressive disorders andPeople who are surrounded by greater memory,andsupportspropermoodAlzheimers disease. This is incrediblylevels of greenery at their place of resi-regulation. This discovery could lead toexciting because it provides a new waydence are protected against the onset of potential new therapeutic strategies toof treating these debilitating diseases instroke, says researcher Dr. Carla Avel-counteract cognitive decline and depres- need of effective treatments. Oleic acidlaneda. Exposure to green spaces is gen-sion in patients with neurological disor- is an omega-9 fatty acid that is also founderally considered to have such beneficial ders. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis isin some foods. The highest levels areeffectsasstressreduction,increased a process that plays a fundamental role infound in olive oil and other edible oils.physical activity, and social contact. The learning, memory, and mood, but dimin- Currently, oleic acid is most commonlyauthors believe that these results show ishes with age and in certain illnesses. Dr.used therapeutically for preventing heartthat the maximum allowable levels of at-Damian Young, one of the correspond- disease, so it is logical that ingestion ofmospheric pollutants established by the ing authors of the study explained, Wethis fatty acid may act prophylacticallyEU, especially nitrogen dioxide, should knew that neurogenesis has a masterfor other incapacitating illnesses as well.be reevaluated.regulator, a protein within neural stemKandel P, Semerci F, Mishra R, et al., Oleic acid isAvellaneda-GmezC,Vivanco-HidalgoR, cells called TLX that is a major player inan endogenous ligand of TLX/NR2E1 that triggersOlmos S, et al., Air pollution and surrounding the birth of new neurons. We howeverhippocampal neurogenesis, Proceedings of thegreenness in relation to ischemic stroke: A pop-did not know what stimulated TLX to doNational Academy of Sciences, 2022, 119(13):ulation-based cohort study, Environment In-that. Nobody knew how to activate TLX.e2023784119; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2023784119. ternational, 2022, 161: 107147; doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107147.H ealtHF reedomN ews /s priNg2022 21'