How common airborne chemicals harm blood vessels and metabolism
Project 2 - Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Cardiometabolic Toxicity of VOCs
Researchers are seeing whether exposure to volatile organic chemicals leads to blood vessel damage and metabolic problems in adults at risk for heart disease and diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11112454 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies how small airborne chemicals (VOCs) can cause stress inside blood-vessel cells and change metabolism in ways that raise heart disease and diabetes risk. Scientists use cell experiments and animal models to trace the molecular steps, including a stress response in cells called the unfolded protein response. The team is also looking for blood or tissue signals (biomarkers) that show VOC exposure or early vascular injury. Finally, they will test laboratory strategies to neutralize reactive breakdown products and reduce the harmful effects on blood vessels and metabolism.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older who have or are at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes, or who have known exposure to volatile organic pollutants, would be the most relevant people for this work.
Not a fit: Children under 21 and people without VOC exposure or without cardiometabolic risk factors are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify markers to detect VOC-related vascular harm earlier and point to ways to prevent or treat pollution-driven heart and metabolic disease.
How similar studies have performed: Early laboratory and animal studies suggest VOCs can trigger cellular stress linked to metabolic and vascular problems, but interventions to prevent these effects in people remain largely unproven.
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.