Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in the Relationship between Type 2 Diabetes and Air Pollution

Abstract

The incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes have increased in the last decades and are expected to further grow in the coming years. Chronic hyperglycemia triggers free radical generation and causes increased oxidative stress, affecting a number of molecular mechanisms and cellular pathways, including the generation of advanced glycation end products, proinflammatory and procoagulant effects, induction of apoptosis, vascular smooth-muscle cell proliferation, endothelial and mitochondrial dysfunction, reduction of nitric oxide release, and activation of protein kinase C. Among type 2 diabetes determinants, many data have documented the adverse effects of environmental factors (e.g., air pollutants) through multiple exposure-induced mechanisms (e.g., systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, hypercoagulability, and endothelial and immune responses). Therefore, here we discuss the role of air pollution in oxidative stress-related damage to glycemic metabolism homeostasis, with a particular focus on its impact on health. In this context, the improvement of new advanced tools (e.g., omic techniques and the study of epigenetic changes) may provide a substantial contribution, helping in the evaluation of the individual in his biological totality, and offer a comprehensive assessment of the molecular, clinical, environmental, and epidemiological aspects.

Systematic review of preclinical studies on the neutrophil-mediated immune response to air pollutants, 1980–2020

“…In addition to oxidative stress and neutrophilic inflammation, PM exposure has been associated with activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic system [119,120]. Cascio et al [121] found, in a mouse model, that after exposure to ultrafine particulate matter (UFP) there was an increase in the platelets, plasma fibrinogen, and soluble P-selectin levels, with reduced bleeding time, implying an increased thrombogenic potential.…”

The relationship between hair metabolites, air pollution exposure and gestational diabetes mellitus: A longitudinal study from pre-conception to third trimester

“…For instance, PM 2.5 alters levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in mice including glutathione peroxidase and malonic dialdehyde (73). Research has identified oxidative stress as one potential feature underlying the toxic effect of air pollution, which activates NF-kB translocation into the nucleus and causes an inflammatory response and cytokine production (74)(75)(76)(77). Meanwhile, air pollution can produce pro-inflammatory mediators, including highly sensitive C-Reactive Protein, TNFa, IL-1b, IL-6 and IL-8, resulting in local or systemic inflammation (8,78,79).…”

Long-Term Exposure to Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Automotive vehicular traffic is a prevalent source of air pollution, especially in cities. In animal studies, traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) was shown to elicit oxidative stress and subclinical inflammation, resulting in impaired insulin signaling and insulin resistance [ 9 ]. The sole systematic review to date evaluating the association of TRAP exposure with diabetes concluded there was a positive association between the two [ 10 ].…”