Diabetes and Exposure to Environmental Lead (Pb)

Abstract

Although the increased incidence of type 2 diabetes since the 1950s is thought to be primarily due to coincident alterations in lifestyle factors, another potential contributing factor in industrialized countries is exposure of the population to environmental pollutants and industrial chemicals. Exposure levels of many environmental toxicants have risen in the same time-frame as the disease incidence. Of particular interest in this regard is the metal lead. Although overall lead exposure levels have diminished in recent decades, there is an under-recognized but persistent occurrence of lead exposure in poor underserved urban populations. Although the neural developmental pathologies induced by lead exposures have been well documented, very little is known about the effect of lead exposure on the incidence of chronic metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Although our understanding of the metabolic health effects of lead exposure is incomplete, there are studies in model systems and a small amount of epidemiological data that together suggest a deleterious effect of environmental lead exposure on metabolic health. This article reviews the human, animal and in vitro studies that have examined the effects of lead exposure on the development of diabetes and related metabolic conditions.

Toxic metal exposure as a possible risk factor for COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases

“…These diseases may also provide an additional link between COVID-19 severity and heavy metal toxicity. Earlier data demonstrate that obesity and diabetes may be associated with Hg ( Tinkov et al, 2015 ; Roy et al, 2017 ), Сd ( Satarug et al, 2010 ; Tinkov et al, 2017 ), Pb ( Park et al, 2017 ; Leff et al, 2017 ), and As ( Farkhondeh et al, 2019 ). Although these associations are rather contradictory and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear, it is proposed that the role of metals and endocrine disruptors may significantly contribute to metabolic disorders.…”

Urinary metals and incident diabetes in midlife women: Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

“… 32 Lead is a well-known toxicant that can induce oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, where the ROS pathway has been suggested in the pathogenesis of diseases including diabetes. 33 Lead is also thought to disrupt a variety of intracellular signaling pathways by interfering with calcium homeostasis and calcium cellular uptake, and modulating the activity of protein kinase C. 33 …”

Lifestyle-Related Exposure to Cadmium and Lead is Associated with Diabetic Kidney Disease

“…Our study was not designed to investigate the mechanisms of renal damage by Cd and Pb, but in the literature several mechanisms have been implicated [5][6][7]15,19,27,32]. Even though both metals bind to low-molecular-weight proteins and primarily affect the proximal tubules, renal outcomes tend to diverge-while Cd-induced renal impairment is characterized in the early stages by the presence of increased excretion of LMWH proteins (β2-microglobuline, retinol binding protein and a1-microglobulin), in Pb nephropathy, the proteinuria (including albuminuria) is absent or minimal in the early stages of renal diseases [27].…”

“…Although the overall Pb exposure levels have diminished in recent decades due to elimination of Pb from gasoline, there is still an under-recognized but persistent occurrence of Cd and Pb exposure in urban populations [32]. Due to industrial emissions and household waste from batteries, cosmetics, and painting, the soil becomes polluted and Cd and Pb end up in water and food products.…”