Ambient particulate matter exhibits direct inhibitory effects on oxidative stress enzymes.

A primary mechanistic hypothesis by which ambient air particles have a significant negative impact on human health is via the induction of pulmonary inflammatory responses mediated through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Development of a biosensor for the assessment of particulate ROS activity would be a significant advance in air pollution monitoring. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether air particulates interact directly with protective enzymes involved in oxidative stress responses. We performed enzyme activity assays on four enzymes involved in oxidative stress responses (Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, Mn superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase) in the presence of particles of varying toxicities and found distinctive inhibition patterns. On the basis of these findings, we suggest a strategy for an enzyme bioassay that could be used to assess the potential of particles to generate ROS-induced responses.