Test on rats shows air pollution increases risk of obesity
Updated: 2016-02-23 10:22
(Ecns.cn)
|
|||||||||
A new study shows laboratory rats that breathed Beijing's highly polluted air gained weight and experienced cardiorespiratory and metabolic dysfunctions.
The Duke University-led study has published the result in the March issue of the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB).
Zhang Junfeng, a professor of global and environmental health at Duke and a senior author of the paper, said the research aims to understand the factors leading to obesity besides diet and sports, Caixin.com reports.
In the study, pregnant rats and their offspring were placed in two chambers – one exposed to filtered air that removed most of the air pollution particles and the other to Beijing's highly polluted air.
The research showed that the lungs and livers of pregnant rats exposed to the polluted air were heavier and showed increased tissue inflammation after only 19 days. Similar results were shown in the rat offspring, which were kept in the same chambers as their mothers.
The levels of LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and insulin resistance, a precursor of Type 2 diabetes, were higher than their clean air-breathing counterparts.
Zhang said the research provides clear evidence that chronic exposure to air pollution increases the risk for developing obesity.
Data from the research also show that the actual consumption of food by the pollution-exposed rats was larger, perhaps due to the requirement for more energy to breath with inflamed livers and lungs, Zhang added.
The study is consistent with a report about the China Obesity Index, which showed the obesity rate in northern China, suffering more from air pollution, was higher than that in the southern region.
Zhang said it's highly possible that air pollution contributes to obesity, but more prudent research is needed as dietary and sports are still dominant factors.
- The world in photos: Feb 15 - 21
- China Daily weekly pictures: Feb 13-19
- Lantern Festival in the Chinese paintings
- Meet Melanie, the real-life mermaid
- Samsung unveils new products at mobile conference in Spain
- 88th Academy Awards Governors Ball Press Preview
- Chinese photographers' work shines in major photo contest
- Egg carving master challenges Guinness World Record
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
8 highlights about V-day Parade |
Glimpses of Tibet: Plateaus, people and faith |
Chinese entrepreneurs remain optimistic despite economic downfall |
50th anniversary of Tibet autonomous region |
Tianjin explosions: Deaths, destruction and bravery |
Cinemas enjoy strong first half |
Today's Top News
What ends Jeb Bush's White House hopes
Investigation for Nicolas's campaign
Will US-ASEAN meeting be good for region?
Accentuate the positive in Sino-US relations
Dangerous games on peninsula will have no winner
National Art Museum showing 400 puppets in new exhibition
Finest Chinese porcelains expected to fetch over $28 million
Monkey portraits by Chinese ink painting masters
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |