A molecular process in smoking-related heart disease has been linked to a chemical in cigarettes called benzo(a)pyrene, or BaP, and its effect on lowering “good” cholesterol.
BaP has been found to block production of the apo A-1 protein, which binds itself to cholesterol as it travels to the liver for disposal.
The finding provides a better understanding of the heart-toxic effects of smoking, and may provide a way to raise “good” cholesterol in combating heart disease.
Ronald A Read
retired
Smoking, is bad we all seem to agree,but is it not so that pollution in the air from Industry, traffic in the streets is so much more a contribution to health problems