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Abstract

Acrolein (2-propenal) is a highly reactive alpha, beta unsaturated aldehyde, and a product of lipid peroxidation reactions. It is formed from carbohydrates, amino acids,vegetable oils and animal fats during food heating or by combustion of petroleum fuels and biodiesel. It has a colorless to yellow liquid and irritating odor. Its molecular formula is C3H4O, molar mass is 56.06 g/mol, melting point is －88oC, boiling point is 53oC, and solubility is greater than 10% in water. People are exposed to acrolein via smoking,secondhand smoke, and wood/plastic smoke. Acrolein may cause irritations of eyes, nose and respiratory tract in low concentrations. The main endogenous sources of acrolein are the myeloperoxidase-mediated degradation of threonine and the amine oxidase-mediated degradation of spermine and spermidine, which may constitute a significant source of acrolein in the situations of oxidative stress and inflammation. Acrolein is metabolized by conjugation with glutathione and excreted in urine as mercapturic acid metabolites. Acrolein increases airway mucin production. Acrolein can affect tight junctional protein via FOXO1 and β-catenin. Taken together, further studies of acrolein as a constituent of cigarette smoke and an air pollutant are needed to explore their effects on asthma and lung diseases.