Thirdhand Smoke Linked to Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Thirdhand smoke (THS) exposure may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a recent study.

THS smoke, the residue left on hair, skin, clothing, and household surfaces, has been associated with liver and lung damage, wound healing complications, and hyperactivity. Its association with type 2 diabetes, however, was less well understood.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

RELATED CONTENT
Cigarette Smoke Increases MRSA's Drug Resistance
Ask CHD Patients About Secondhand Smoke Exposure
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

To further investigate, researchers exposed mice to THS, then fed the mice either a standard or Western diet. Mice exposed to THS were compared with control mice, fed the same diets but left unexposed.

Overall, mice exposed to THS were significantly more likely to develop insulin resistance than control mice. Exposed mice also had higher levels of oxidative stress. Mice exposed to THS and fed a Western diet, known to increase oxidative stress, has the highest levels of insulin resistance, but gained less weight than the control group fed the same diet.

When the THS-exposed mice were given antioxidents, their molecular damage and insulin resistance was reversed, confirming THS as the cause.

“Our findings have direct implications for humans because tobacco toxins are often present in human habitats,” Martins-Green said. “We hope our study will influence public policy towards controlling the exposure of nonsmokers – especially infants, children and the elderly – to THS toxins.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

University of California, Riverside. Thirdhand smoke linked to type 2 diabetes [press release]. March 2, 2016. https://ucrtoday.ucr.edu/35360.