Firefighting Induces Acute Inflammatory Responses that are not Relieved by Aspirin in Older Firefighters
Abstract
Objective:Sudden cardiac events account for 40% to 50% of firefighter line-of-duty deaths. Inflammatory proteins are strong biomarkers of cardiovascular inflammation. The present study investigated the effects of aspirin supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers following firefighting.Methods:Using a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover design, 24 male firefighters (48.2 ± 5.9 years) were allocated into four conditions: acute (81 mg; single-dose) aspirin and placebo supplementation, and chronic (81 mg; 14 days) aspirin and placebo supplementation. Inflammatory proteins [interleukin (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, P-selectin, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)] and antioxidant potential [total antioxidant capacity (TAC)] were measured pre- and post-structural firefighting drills.Results:Firefighting activities significantly increased IL-6, MMP-9, and P-Selectin; however, no changes in TAC and ICAM-1 were detected. Neither acute nor chronic aspirin supplementation attenuated this inflammatory response.Conclusion:Firefighting significantly increases inflammatory biomarkers and neither acute nor chronic low-dose aspirin mitigates this response.
Publication Title
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Recommended Citation
Smith, D., Friedman, N., Bloom, S., Armero, W., Pence, B., Cook, M., Fernhall, B., & Horn, G. (2019). Firefighting Induces Acute Inflammatory Responses that are not Relieved by Aspirin in Older Firefighters. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 61 (7), 617-622. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000001626
