Jekyll into Hyde: Breathing auto emissions turns HDL cholesterol from 'good' to 'bad'

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-05/uoc--jih051513.php

Public release date: 15-May-2013
Contact: Rachel Champeau
University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences

Academic researchers have found that breathing motor vehicle emissions triggers a change in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, altering its cardiovascular protective qualities so that it actually contributes to clogged arteries.

In addition to changing HDL from "good" to "bad," the inhalation of emissions activates other components of oxidation, the early cell and tissue damage that causes inflammation, leading to hardening of the arteries, according to the research team, which included scientists from UCLA and other institutions.

The findings of this early study, done in mice, are available in the online edition of the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, a publication of the American Heart Association, and will appear in the journal's June print edition.

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