Toxic air: Researchers reveal how pollution is harming our liver.

The issue of exhaust emissions from vehicles on the roads has been a pressing concern for decades, prompting many countries to take action to reduce them. However, recent research has revealed that these emissions not only harm the air quality but also negatively affect our organs.

https://focus.ua/technologies/691517-ubiystvennyy-vozduh-uchenye-rasskazali-kak-ego-zagryaznenie-unichtozhaet-nashu-pechen2025-02-03 07:46:13

According to recent research conducted on mice, prolonged exposure to low levels of air pollution associated with traffic can harm the liver and increase the risk of developing metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, reports ScienceDaily.

Fatty liver disease, also known as hepatic steatosis, is the most common liver disease worldwide and can lead to serious complications such as inflammation, scarring (cirrhosis), cancer, and liver failure. While air pollution is often linked to respiratory issues, researchers emphasize its broader impact on health, particularly on the liver's ability to regulate metabolism and eliminate toxins from the body.

Professor Hui Chen from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), the lead author of the study, explained that tiny particles of air pollutants known as PM2.5 enter the bloodstream through the lungs and accumulate in the liver. These particles often contain harmful heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, nickel, and zinc.

Professor Jacob George, a liver specialist and director of the Storr Liver Centre at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research, emphasized that while lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and excessive alcohol consumption contribute to the development of fatty liver disease, environmental factors like air pollution can also play a significant role.

In the study published in the Journal of Environmental Sciences, mice were exposed daily to PM2.5 particles generated from traffic at doses equivalent to typical human exposure in Sydney. Researchers measured changes in liver condition at four, eight, and twelve weeks. While no severe consequences were observed after four weeks, by eight weeks, the liver's metabolic functions were noticeably impaired. By twelve weeks, significant inflammation, fibrosis (scarring), and disturbances in sugar and fat metabolism became apparent.

The first author of the study, Dr. Min Feng, a physician and PhD candidate at UTS, explained that exposure to air pollution led to increased activity of immune cells in the liver, triggering inflammation and excessive fat accumulation, particularly harmful fats such as triglycerides, diacylglycerols, and ceramides. Further analysis revealed changes in 64 liver proteins associated with fatty liver disease, immune system dysfunction, and cancer processes.

Researchers warn that even low levels of air pollution can be harmful, reinforcing the idea that there is no safe threshold for exposure to traffic-related pollutants. Professor Chen recommended practical measures to reduce exposure, such as avoiding heavy traffic during peak hours, choosing less congested routes when walking or cycling, wearing masks in high-pollution areas, and keeping car windows closed with the air recirculation mode on during heavy traffic.

Globally, air pollution is increasingly linked to various health conditions beyond respiratory diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pollution leads to approximately 7 million premature deaths each year, with cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and liver diseases posing the greatest risks.

This material is for informational purposes only and does not contain advice that could affect your health. If you are experiencing health issues, please consult a specialist.