Air pollution and cardiovascular disease: Mitochondria may be the missing link

Researchers at UCLA Health investigating the connection between air pollution and cardiovascular disease have identified new blood biomarkers—long-chain dicarboxylate acids (DCAs) and medium- to long-chain acyl-carnitines (ACs)—in samples from mice and humans exposed to air pollution. These biomarkers offer insight into how air pollution damages cell function and increases the risk of heart disease. The findings are published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.