How benzene harms blood vessels and raises artery disease risk
Vascular Toxicity of Benzene
Researchers are looking at how breathing or touching benzene damages the lining of blood vessels and makes artery disease worse, which is important for people with adult-onset diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11239816 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work uses lab-grown blood vessel cells and animal models to see how benzene and its breakdown products trigger inflammation, cell death, and immune cells sticking to vessel walls. Scientists will use RNA sequencing to identify molecular changes in genes like eNOS, SOD1, HO-1, COX-2, and ATF3 that underlie those effects. They will study a benzene metabolite (t,t-muconaldehyde) that activates adhesion molecules and drives immune cell migration across the vessel lining. The team will also test whether heat shock proteins HSPA1A and HSPA1B can protect blood vessels from benzene-induced damage and atherosclerosis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes, especially those with existing cardiovascular disease or high benzene exposure (for example smokers or certain occupational/residential exposures), would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People without diabetes, without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or without known benzene exposure are less likely to see a direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to ways to prevent or reduce benzene-related artery damage and lower heart attack and stroke risk for people with diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier laboratory and animal studies, including the investigators' preliminary data, indicate benzene can worsen atherosclerosis, but the detailed molecular mechanisms and protective pathways are still being defined.
Where this research is happening
Louisville, United States
- University of Louisville — Louisville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Srivastava, Sanjay — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Srivastava, Sanjay
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.