Figure 4.
The potential pathways for near-roadway air pollution (NRAP) exposure to influence lipid and amino acid metabolism. NEFA: Non-esterified fatty acids; BCAA: branched-chain amino acids. Increased NRAP exposure might increase adipose lipolysis and release of NEFA and glycerol. Increased circulating NEFA requires increased mitochondrial function for NEFA oxidation, which competes the mitochondrial capacity of amino acid metabolism. Therefore, serum concentrations of BCAAs and other amino acids can be elevated at the same time.