Association between air pollution and type 2 diabetes: an updated review of the literature

Abstract

Air pollution and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are critical public health issues worldwide. A large number of epidemiological studies have highlighted the adverse effects of air pollution on diabetes, and include risk profiles for different exposure durations, study design types, subgroup populations, and effects of air pollution components. We researched PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science to identify studies on the association between air pollution and T2DM from January 2009 to January 2019. The aim of this review is to provide a brief overview of epidemiological and experimental studies on air pollution associated with T2DM from the latest research, which may provide practical information about this relationship and possible mechanisms. Current cumulative evidence appears to suggest that T2DM-related biomarkers increase with increasing exposure duration and concentration of air pollutants. The chemical constituents of the air pollutant mixture may affect T2DM to varying degrees. The suggested mechanisms whereby air pollutants induce T2DM include increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Effects of Ultrafine Particles in Ambient Air on Primary Health Care Consultations for Diabetes in Children and Elderly Population in Ljubljana, Slovenia: A 5-Year Time-Trend Study

“…Several of them concluded that air pollution is likely a risk factor for diabetes. Current cumulative evidence appears to suggest that type 2 diabetes mellitus-related biomarkers increase with increasing exposure duration and concentrations of air pollutants [1]. However, the results from diverse epidemiological studies are not fully consistent, and no systematic reviews have yet been published to determine whether these claims are substantiated and verified.…”

“…Air pollution and diabetes mellitus are critical public health issues worldwide [1]. Air pollution is a problem that is faced by all societies at all levels of development; especially at risk is the urban population [2].…”

“…Over the last few years, a growing number of toxicological studies have also suggested an association between PM 2.5 and diabetes through an inflammatory pathway leading to endothelial dysfunction, immune response alterations in visceral adipose tissues, and endoplasmic reticulum stress leading to alterations in insulin transduction, insulin sensitivity, and glucose metabolism [19][20][21][22][23]. A growing number of epidemiological studies have been trying to explore the associations between particulate air pollution and diabetes, and also some reviews and meta-analyzes concerning this topic have been published [1,[24][25][26][27][28]. Several of them concluded that air pollution is likely a risk factor for diabetes.…”

Role of Air Pollution and rs10830963 Polymorphism on the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes: Tehran Cardiometabolic Genetic Study

“…Taking a look at the related literature, one may come with several epidemiological studies that have examined the relationship of particular matter (PM10, an essential component of AP) exposure with T2DM prevalence and incidence [ 8 , 9 ]. These studies have yielded different research findings, and no consistent results in this regard are available.…”

“…Recently, diabetes has witnessed an increasing trend in a nonstop manner in all countries of the world, i.e., both developed and developing countries. In this regard, despite the deluge of studies being carried out in developed countries, the relevant studies in developing and underdeveloped countries are scarce, thereby, it is required to undertake research in this domain in such countries [ 9 ]. Furthermore, only a limited number of epidemiological studies have examined the interactive impact of AP and SNP on the risks of T2DM.…”