Environmental pollutants and type 2 diabetes: a review of mechanisms that can disrupt beta cell function

Abstract

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is currently at epidemic proportions and it is estimated that it will increase even further over the next decades. Although genetic predisposition and lifestyle choices are commonly accepted reasons for the occurrence of type 2 diabetes, it has recently been suggested that environmental pollutants are additional risk factors for diabetes development and this review aims to give an overview of the current evidence for this. More specifically, because of the crucial role of pancreatic beta cells in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes, the present work summarises the known effects of several compounds on beta cell function with reference to mechanistic studies that have elucidated how these compounds interfere with the insulin secreting capacity of beta cells. Oestrogenic compounds, organophosphorus compounds, persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals are discussed, and a critical reflection on the relevance of the concentrations used in mechanistic studies relative to the levels found in the human population is given. It is clear that some environmental pollutants affect pancreatic beta cell function, as both epidemiological and experimental research is accumulating. This supports the need to develop a solid and structured platform to fully explore the diabetes-inducing potential of pollutants.

Combating the dual burden: therapeutic targeting of common pathways in obesity and type 2 diabetes

“…Furthermore, environmental pollutants 34 and specific bacterial intestinal colonization 35 have recently been proposed as additional risk factors for obesity, β-cell dysfunction and T2DM development. Thus, reversal of overnutrition (contributing to weight loss), lessening of adipose tissue disturbances and protection/ healing of the β cells should be treatment priorities 5,31 .…”

Low-level phenolic estrogen pollutants impair islet morphology and β-cell function in isolated rat islets

“…In addition to genetic effects and a high-fat diet, increased exposure to environmental pollutants has been closely linked to the increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus, supported by several laboratory and animal researches as well as epidemiological studies (Carpenter 2008, Hectors et al 2011.…”

“…In recent decades, a variety of EDCs have been found to interfere with glucose metabolism (Cranmer et al 2000, Alonso-Magdalena et al 2010, Hectors et al 2011. Physiological levels of estrogen are involved in maintaining normal insulin sensitivity, but an excess of estrogen, such as exposure to chemicals with estrogenic activity at an inappropriate concentration, would increase the risk of developing insulin resistance and diabetes (Zhang et al 2002, Margolis et al 2004, Godsland 2005.…”

Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants: Relationship With Abnormal Glucose Metabolism and Visceral Adiposity

“…Exposure to endocrine disrupting POPs has recently emerged as a potential contributor to the pandemic of both type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity (3,28). Our study relates a range of POPs to detailed anthropometric measures and glucose and insulin levels (basal and postglucose load).…”