Diesel particles have been found to trigger a reaction in the gut of mice that contributes to the development of diabetes, according to a study by the University Hospital Zurich and the University of Basel.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ts
Español
es
La contaminación atmosférica puede aumentar el riesgo de diabetes
“It has been known for some time that more people develop diabetes in places with high air pollution,” said study leader Claudia Cavelti-Weder, a senior physician and endocrinologist at the University Hospital Zurich.
However, the exact mechanisms by which air pollution leads to the development of so-called type 2 diabetes (adult-onset diabetes) are not yet fully understood. The research team led by Cavelti-Weder has investigated how diesel particles affect the intestine. The resultsExternal link were published in the scientific journal Particle and Fibre Toxicology.
“The intestine is often not taken into account when it comes to air pollution,” Cavelti-Weder said. Yet air pollution also plays a role for the intestines, she said. Our body has a sophisticated cleaning mechanism that keeps certain particles away from the lungs. So-called cilia transport dirt particles into the throat. Some of them eventually reach the intestines when swallowed.
Scavenger cells
The researchers administered either diesel particles or a neutral control substance to mice over a period of up to ten months.
They found that mice exposed to diesel particles showed changes in the so-called macrophages in the intestine. Macrophages are scavenger cells that are part of the innate immune system and have an important defence function. An inflammatory factor secreted by the altered macrophages could be linked to impaired glucose tolerance, a precursor of diabetes.
The findings from this study could provide new pharmacological starting points for the treatment of diabetes-like diseases caused by air pollutants, the researchers wrote. However, further studies were needed, they said.
More
More
Swiss-led research helps uncover new truths about air pollution
This content was published on
At monitoring stations in Switzerland and Europe, scientists are trying to understand how tiny aerosol particles affect the climate and our health.
Stress research: voting campaigns can trigger stress among minorities
This content was published on
Researchers at the University of Zurich showed in a study that they released more stress hormones during the referendum campaign.
Swiss justice minister advocates for greater sovereignty through bilateral agreements
This content was published on
In a networked world, sovereignty can be enhanced by regulating relations with important partners, Jans wrote in a NZZ commentary on Tuesday.
No heat records in sight (yet) despite the ‘dog days’
This content was published on
The dog days—traditionally the hottest days of the year—began on Tuesday. However, the weather service Meteonews predicts that Switzerland is unlikely to see new temperature records in the near future.
Swiss employees to work slightly more in 2023 than in previous year
This content was published on
The long-term trend is different with the weekly working hours per full-time employee decreased significantly, says a report by the Federal Statistical Office.
Consumers still crave chocolate: Lindt & Sprüngli reports higher earnings
This content was published on
Lindt & Sprüngli sold chocolate worth CHF 2.16 billion in the first half of the year. This is slightly more than in the previous year.
This content was published on
Bollinger will succeed Philipp Rickenbacher, who resigned in February after a significant write-down on loans to the Signa Group.
Majority of young Swiss well-trained, army fitness test reveals
This content was published on
More than half of young Swiss men and women are considered well-trained, with around 80% meeting the federal government's exercise recommendations, according to the Armed Forces 2023 fitness test.
Italian consulate to relocate to ‘Casa d’Italia’ in Zurich
This content was published on
The Italian state is renovating the "Casa d'Italia" in Zurich's Kreis 4 district, with plans to move the Consulate General from its current location on Tödistrasse in District 2 to this historic building.
Poor Swiss air causes 5,000 premature deaths a year
This content was published on
Air pollution has significant impacts on the health of Europeans, particularly in urban areas, according to a report published on Wednesday by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Air Quality in Europe 2016External link presents an updated overview and analysis of air quality in Europe from 2000 to 2014 based on data from official monitoring stations…
Diabetes a ‘defining issue for global public health’
This content was published on
In Switzerland, where an estimated 500,000 of the 8.3 million total population have diabetes, more than 1,000 people die each year from diabetes and around 3,000 deaths are attributable to high blood glucose, the study found. Nevertheless, northwestern Europe has the lowest rates of diabetes, with age-adjusted prevalence lower than 4% among women and at…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.