Author: Aldiyarbek Nurlan
Editor: Kigbaeva Kamila
In this study, scientists created an environment that simulates a polluted day in New Delhi or Beijing. Scientists have concentrated small particles of polluted air called PM 2.5 (a component of particulate matter <2.5 microns). These concentrated particles are generated by human exposure to the environment (vehicle exhaust, power generation and other fossil fuels).
The research team has shown that exposure to polluted air can increase the likelihood of the same risk factors that lead to heart disease, such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The researchers identified three groups of mice: a control group that received clean filtered air, a group that was exposed to polluted air for 24 weeks, and a group that received a high-fat diet.
Interestingly, the researchers found that the exposure of the mice to polluted air was comparable to eating a diet high in fat. The consequence of this was the emergence of insulin resistance and abnormal metabolism - the same condition that occurs in the prediabetic state. The good news was that these effects were reversible: no polluted air, no prediabetes.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200820122040.htm
