Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia
Advertisement

How Cigarette Smoke Makes Flu Worse

by Rajashri on July 25, 2008 at 4:07 PM
 How Cigarette Smoke Makes Flu Worse

The mechanism behind why viral infections have more severe consequences in individuals exposed to cigarette smoke than in those not exposed to it has been revealed by a new study.

The study, conducted by researchers at Yale School of Medicine, also identified the mechanism by which viruses and cigarette smoke interact to increase lung inflammation and damage.

Advertisement

Their experiments showed that the immune systems of mice exposed to cigarette smoke from as little as two cigarettes a day for two weeks overreacted when they were also exposed to a mimic of the flu virus.

The mice's immune systems cleared the virus normally but the exaggerated inflammation caused increased levels of tissue damage.

"The anti-viral responses in the cigarette smoke exposed mice were not only not defective, but were hyperactive," said Jack A. Elias, M.D., the Waldermar Von Zedtwitz Professor of Medicine and chair of internal medicine at Yale School of Medicine.
Advertisement

"These findings suggest that smokers do not get in trouble because they can't clear or fight off the virus; they get in trouble because they overreact to it.

"It's like smokers are using the equivalent of a sledge hammer, rather than a fly swatter, to get rid of a fly," he added.

Elias and his colleagues also found that mice with viral infections that had been exposed to cigarette smoke had accelerated emphysema and airway scarring.

They also defined the signaling pathway that mediates this exaggerated innate immune response.

"If the exaggerated responses are verified in human studies, it will be the first explanation for why viral infections are more serious in smokers," said Elias.

"Once verified, we can find ways to prevent the destruction of lung tissue and the higher illness and death among smokers," he added.

James P. Kiley, director, Division of Lung Diseases of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, said: "These studies have identified molecular pathways that can explain how cigarette smoke exposure and viral infections interact to make breathing problems worse in diseases like COPD," said

"With further research, these findings may even lead to more effective drug treatments for COPD," he added.

The study is published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Source: ANI
RAS/M
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Lifestyle and Wellness News

Social Media Reshapes New Parenting Journeys
Amid the challenges of caring for newborns and toddlers, a study notes a rising trend of new parents seeking social media's help for managing their children.
Social Isolation With No Family & Friends Visits Linked to Mortality Risk
Lack of friends and family visits is tied to a 39% increased risk of mortality that can be used to develop effective therapies associated with social isolation.
Sunscreen & Its Pseudoeffects of Sun Protection
Compared to wearing sun-protective clothes and avoiding the sun, using sunscreen is the least effective way to prevent sunburn on the skin.
How Fruit & Vegetable Microbiomes Benefit Human Gut Health?
Bacterial diversity in the human gut is benefited by eating fruit and vegetables with microorganisms of probiotic and health-promoting characteristics.
Surprising Independence of Weight Loss
New research challenges the common notion that couples achieve better weight loss results.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

How Cigarette Smoke Makes Flu Worse Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests