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A new study from the University of California at Riverside shows that flame retardants found in almost every home in America cause mice to give birth to offspring that develops diabetes.
These flame retardants, called “polybrominated diphenyl ethers” (PBDEs), have been linked to diabetes in adults. The same goes for diabetes in mice that are exposed to the chemical only through their mothers.
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“The mice received PBDEs from their mothers in the womb and as young children through breast milk. Significantly, in adulthood and after a long period of exposure to the substance,” Elena said. Kozlova, lead author of the study and doctoral student in neuroscience at the University of California. Chemical, the children developed diabetes. “
PBDEs are common household chemicals added to furniture, furnishings and electronics to prevent fires. They are released into the air people breathe in homes, cars, and airplanes because their chemical bonds with surfaces are weak.
“PBDEs are ubiquitous in the home. It’s impossible to avoid them completely, ”said Dr. Margarita Coras Collazo, neuroscientist at the University of California and co-author of the study.
Given its previous association with diabetes in adult men and women and in pregnant women, Dr Coras Collazo and his team wanted to understand whether these chemicals could have harmful effects on babies of mothers exposed to PBDEs. But such experiments can only be performed on mice.
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Diabetes causes high blood sugar. After a meal, the pancreas releases insulin, a hormone that helps cells use the glucose sugar from food, and when cells are resistant to insulin, they don’t work as expected and blood sugar stays high. even when the food is not consumed.
Chronic high levels of glucose can damage the eyes, kidneys, heart, and nerves. It can also lead to life-threatening health problems.
“This study is unique because we tested both the dams and their offspring for all characteristics of human diabetes,” said Coras Collazo. “This type of test has not been done before, especially on female offspring.”
Researchers administered PBDEs to mothers of mice at low levels compared to the average human environmental exposure during pregnancy and lactation.
All children suffer from glucose intolerance, high fasting glucose levels, insulin sensitivity, and low insulin levels in the blood, all of which are hallmarks of diabetes. In addition, the researchers also found that the children had high levels of the liver’s endogenous cannabinoid system, which are molecules related to appetite, metabolism, and obesity.
Although the mothers developed some glucose intolerance, they were not as affected as their offspring.
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“Our results indicate that chemicals in the environment, such as PBDEs, can be transmitted from mother to offspring, and their exposure during the period of early development is harmful to health,” said Coras Collazo.
The research team believes that future longitudinal studies in humans are needed to determine the long-term consequences of early exposure to PBDEs.
“We need to know if infants exposed to PBDEs before and after birth turn into adults with diabetes,” said Ras Collazo.
Meanwhile, Ras Collazo advises people to limit exposure to decabromodiphenyl ether by taking measures such as washing hands before eating, vacuuming frequently, and purchasing furniture and other products that do not contain it. She also hopes that pregnant women are familiar with hidden environmental chemicals that can affect fetuses and babies, as well as breast milk.
“We believe that the benefits of breastmilk for babies far outweigh the risks of transmitting PBDEs to babies. We do not recommend limiting breastfeeding. But let’s defend the protection of breast milk and our bodies from the products. chemicals that kill the couch, ”she explained.
Source: medicalxpress
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