Smokers with diabetes mellitus substantially lower their risks of microvascular and macrovascular diabetic complications, in particular cardiovascular disease, by quitting smoking. However, subsequent post-smoking-cessation weight gain may attenuate some of the beneficial effects of smoking cessation and discourage attempts to quit. Weight gain can temporarily exacerbate diabetes and deteriorate glycemic control and metabolic profile. The molecular mechanisms by which quitting smoking leads to weight gain are largely associated with the removal of nicotine’s effects on the central nervous system.
Appetite-Regulating Peptides | Smoking | Smoking Cessation |
---|---|---|
NPY | ↓ levels of NPY | ↑ levels of NPY correlated with body weight |
Orexins | dose-dependent ↑ prepro-orexin mRNA production upon chronic nicotine administration | ↓ orexin levels during the initial withdrawal period (24 h of abstinence) |
Leptin | ↓ or ↑ plasma leptin concentration | ↑ serum leptin levels positively correlated with ↑ body weight, BMI and body fat mass |
Adiponectin | ↓ plasma concentrations of adiponectin | ↑ serum adiponectin levels in individuals with less abdominal obesity |
Ghrelin | ↑ or ↓ plasma levels of ghrelin, non-effect result in smokers | No data |
PYY, GLP-1 and CCK | Not affected | Not affected |