How tiny air pollution particles change fat and inflammation pathways that affect heart and metabolic health
Dissecting the Role of Arachidonic Acid Metabolic Pathways Involved in Resolution Versus Progression of PM-Induced Cardiometabolic Toxicity
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · NIH-11284040
This work looks at how very small air pollution particles disturb fat and inflammation processes that can make heart disease, fatty liver, and related problems worse for people exposed to polluted air.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11284040 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, researchers expose animal models to tiny particles like diesel exhaust to mimic what happens when people breathe polluted air. They measure damage to lungs and blood, changes in blood fats and liver fat, and the build-up of artery plaque. The team focuses on arachidonic acid pathways and enzymes such as 5‑lipoxygenase that drive inflammation or help resolve it, comparing different particle types. The goal is to spot molecular steps that steer damage toward progression or toward resolution of inflammation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who live or work in areas with high levels of air pollution or who have risk factors for atherosclerosis, fatty liver, or metabolic syndrome would be the most relevant population for the findings.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to pollution-driven inflammation or lipid metabolism (for example some isolated genetic disorders or cancers) are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat pollution-driven heart and metabolic disease, for example by targeting inflammatory enzymes or boosting resolution pathways.
How similar studies have performed: Epidemiological and animal studies have repeatedly linked air pollution to worse cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes, but applying detailed arachidonic acid/5‑lipoxygenase targeting to pollution-driven disease remains an emerging approach.
Where this research is happening
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES — LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ARAUJO, JESUS ANTONIO — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- Study coordinator: ARAUJO, JESUS ANTONIO
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.