Low-level traffic air pollution linked to liver damage and fatty liver disease
Long-term exposure to low levels of traffic-related air pollution harms the liver and may raise the risk of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, a new study in mice suggests.
Fatty liver, also called hepatic steatosis, is the most common liver disease worldwide, and occurs when excess fat builds up in liver cells. It can lead to inflammation, scarring (cirrhosis), and an increased risk of cancer and liver failure.
"We think of air pollution as being harmful to people's lungs, but it has a broader impact on health including on the liver," said lead author Professor Hui Chen from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
"The liver is critical for metabolism. It clears toxins, regulates blood sugar, and produces essential vitamins and proteins, among many other functions. If the liver ...