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

Abstract

OBJECTIVE The contribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to the pandemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity has been assumed but remains speculative. Our study aimed at investigating the relationship of POP levels with detailed markers of glucose metabolism and body composition. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Glucose tolerance was determined in a group of normal-weight and obese individuals. Fat distribution was assessed with abdominal computed tomography (CT) scanning, determining subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Selected POPs (28 polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs] and the pesticide p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene [p,p’-DDE]) were measured in serum. In a subset of obese individuals undergoing bariatric surgery, POPs were also measured in adipose tissue. RESULTS Among obese participants, serum and adipose tissue levels of POPs were significantly correlated to glucose levels during an oral glucose tolerance test. Logistic regression using a model including age, age2, sex, family history of diabetes, BMI, CT-VAT, smoking behavior, physical activity level score, and a POP level identified serum levels of PCB153, the sum of PCBs and p,p’-DDE as significant predictors of abnormal glucose tolerance (odds ratio 4.6, 4.8, and 3.4, respectively; P < 0.05). Adipose tissue levels of p,p’-DDE were also significant predictors (odds ratio 81.6; P < 0.05). Serum levels of PCBs were inversely related to BMI, while serum and adipose tissue levels of all POPs were positively related to the CT-VAT/SAT ratio, suggesting an important role for the visceral fat compartment in POP dynamics. CONCLUSIONS Our findings further sustain the theory that exposure to environmentally relevant levels of POPs may exert both a diabetogenic and obesogenic effect.

Adipose Tissue as a Site of Toxin Accumulation

“…Therefore, DDE has consistently been positively associated with BMI (230) (224) (107) (104) (218) (128) (164) (312) (343), waist circumference (223) (107) (226), and visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (107). Only two studies found sex differences in the relationship between DDE exposure and obesity.…”

“…When PCBs were grouped together, positive associations were found with an increased risk of becoming obese (108), BMI (218), and waist circumference (223). Furthermore, in a study of obese adults without diabetes, adipose levels of PCBs were positively associated with weight, BMI, waist circumference, and visceral adipose tissue (107). …”

“…Furthermore, DDE was also found to have a positive association with diabetes prevalence in women in the Anniston Superfund site (357). In studies in adults with background levels of exposure to POPs, DDE has been associated with T2D prevalence (224) (80) (398) (24) (337) (85), glucose abnormalities (107), and HOMA-IR (230). Additionally, studies have found associations between DDT and diabetes (114) (85).…”

Body Mass Index Categories and Attained Height in Portuguese Adults

“…It is known that besides the imbalance of energy intake and expenditure, other genetic, behavioral and environmental factors may contribute to the development of obesity [3,4]. …”

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Atherogenic Indices in Adult Wistar Rats Exposed to Pyrethroid Insecticides

“…Humans are predominantly exposed through the consumption of contaminated food, mainly meat, fish, and dairy products [1], in agriculture for crop protection, in homes for controlling any pest and gardens for destroying unwanted species of plants [2]. Because of their ability to resist environmental degradation, these substances are omnipresent in food products, and found all around the world, even in areas where they have never been used like Antarctica [3,4].…”