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Association between hydrocarbon exposure and risk of stroke: a systematic literature review

Shabil M 1 , Gaidhane AM 2 , Vadia N 3 , Menon SV 4 , Chennakesavulu K 5 , Panigrahi R 6 Show all authors , Bushi G 7 , Jena D 8 , Rani A 9 , Sah S 10 , Singh M 11 , Satapathy P 12 , Goh KW 13 , Razaqi N 14

Affiliations 

  • 1 University Center for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India
  • 2 Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, and Global Health Academy, School of Epidemiology and Public Health. Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education, Wardha, India
  • 3 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marwadi University Research Center, Marwadi University, Rajkot, Gujarat, 360003, India
  • 4 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  • 5 Department of Chemistry, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • 6 Department of Microbiology, IMS and SUM Hospital, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751003, India
  • 7 Chitkara Centre for Research and Development, Chitkara University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 174103, India
  • 8 Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, 140417, India
  • 9 Department of Microbiology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Clement Town, Dehradun, 248002, India
  • 10 Department of Paediatrics, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed-to-be-University), Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, 411018, India
  • 11 Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
  • 12 Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater, Noida, India
  • 13 Faculty of Data Science and Information Technology, INTI International University, Nilai, Malaysia
  • 14 Afghanistan Center for Epidemiological Studies, Herat, Afghanistan. nosaibah.razaqi.94@gmail.com
BMC Neurol, 2025 Feb 21;25(1):71.
PMID: 39984906 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-025-04083-x

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hydrocarbon exposure, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), is increasingly linked to vascular dysfunction and stroke, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Common in occupational and environmental contexts, hydrocarbons induce oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, disrupting vascular health. This systematic review examines the association between hydrocarbon exposure and stroke, emphasizing specific metabolites and their cerebrovascular effects.

METHODS: A comprehensive search across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was conducted through December 10 2024, identifying observational studies exploring hydrocarbon exposure and stroke risk. Studies meeting predefined inclusion criteria, excluding those with major methodological flaws, were synthesized narratively. Variations in hydrocarbon types, population demographics, and stroke outcomes were considered.

RESULTS: Six studies, including five cross-sectional and one retrospective cohort, with sample sizes ranging from 5,537 to 283,666 participants, demonstrated significant associations between hydrocarbon exposure and stroke risk. Key findings revealed strong associations for metabolites like 1-hydroxynaphthalene (OR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.62-2.20) and 2-hydroxyfluorene (OR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.66-2.26). However, variability in findings was noted, attributed to differences in study design, exposure levels, and populations studied.

CONCLUSION: This review highlights a complex relationship between hydrocarbon exposure and stroke risk, with some studies indicating significant associations and others reporting inconsistencies. Standardized, large-scale research is essential to clarify this relationship, identify high-risk populations, and guide public health strategies to mitigate exposure and prevent stroke.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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