Novel strategies are being developed to generate stem-cell-derived insulin-producing cells (IPCs), which could reverse the growing incidence of diabetes worldwide. We reviewed studies of stem-cell-based therapies for pancreatic β-cell regeneration published between 1997 and 2017. Differentiation into IPCs can be achieved using various stem-cell sources: embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and several types of adult stem cells such as pancreatic, hepatic and mesenchymal stem cells. However, reliable cell replacement therapy for diabetes is still in its early stages, and safety and ethical concerns are pressing issues. It will be necessary to find means of identifying optimal stem-cell sources and of inducing β-cell differentiation without using genetic mutations. The present article examines the potential of various stem-cell candidates for IPC generation, and the current obstacles preventing emergence of a candidate source.

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Several studies have shown that active smoking is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the effects of passive smoking on T2DM remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of passive smoking and its duration on the prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM. According to passive smoking status, participants were divided into Group A (passive smokers) and Group B (controls). Furthermore, Group A was divided into three subgroups according to the duration of passive smoking: Group A1 (≤10 years), Group A2 (10-20 years), and Group A3 (>20 years). We found that the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in Group A (26.6%), Group A2 (28%), and Group A3 (37.8%) was significantly higher than that in Group B (19.6%), and the prevalence gradually increased with an increase in the duration of passive smoking. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that passive smoking for >10 years was a risk factor for impaired fasting glucose (IFG), IGT, and T2DM. Therefore, passive smoking not only increases the prevalence of IGT in a time-dependent manner, but also a risk factor for IFG, IGT, and T2DM when its duration is over 10 years.

In this population of Chinese women, exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke was associated with adverse effects on glucose and lipid profiles, suggesting an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These findings support the benefit of stopping smoking in the home and implementing no-smoking regulations in public areas in China and other developing countries to prevent diabetes and other chronic diseases.