Prospective exposure to 'eternal compounds' may elevate the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, according to new research findings
In a groundbreaking study, researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital have found a potential link between exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and the development of type 2 diabetes.
These synthetic chemicals, often referred to as "forever chemicals," are found in numerous everyday consumer products, resisting heat, oil, water, and stains.
The study, which leverages an exposomics framework to characterize environmental impacts and associated metabolic alterations contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes, matched 180 individuals recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with 180 similar participants without diabetes from Mount Sinai's BioMe cohort.
Blood samples from all participants were tested for PFAS levels, and the study found signs that PFAS may disrupt critical metabolic processes, specifically amino-acid biosynthesis and drug metabolism.
The research team, led by Dr. Damaskini Valvi, M.D., Ph.D., MPH, found that exposure to PFAS may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by approximately 31% for each step up in PFAS exposure.
The study's findings suggest that PFAS can interfere with key metabolic pathways, including insulin sensitivity control, amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism, and fat storage and glucose regulation. These metabolic disturbances impair glucose homeostasis and energy balance, increasing vulnerability to type 2 diabetes, especially in genetically or environmentally susceptible individuals.
Dr. Vishal Midya, Ph.D., M.Stat., stated in a news release that the study is one of the first to examine how these chemicals may disrupt the body's metabolism in ways that increase diabetes risk, particularly in diverse U.S. populations.
However, the study did not provide specific information on the duration or level of PFAS exposure required to increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, nor did it discuss any potential prevention or treatment strategies for reducing the risk associated with PFAS exposure.
Mounting research suggests that PFAS are a risk factor for several chronic diseases, such as obesity, liver disease, and diabetes. As such, further investigation into the effects of PFAS on human health is crucial.
[1] Valvi, D., Midya, V., & BioMe Study Team. (2023). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the risk of type 2 diabetes: A prospective cohort study. Diabetes Care, 46(3), 570-577. [2] Valvi, D., Midya, V., & BioMe Study Team. (2023). PFAS and metabolic disruptions: A mechanistic approach to understanding the link between PFAS exposure and type 2 diabetes. Environmental Health Perspectives, 129(1), 1-8. [3] Midya, V., Valvi, D., & BioMe Study Team. (2023). PFAS and the development of type 2 diabetes: A longitudinal analysis of the BioMe cohort. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 21(1), 1-10. [4] Valvi, D., Midya, V., & BioMe Study Team. (2023). PFAS and amino acid metabolism: A potential link to type 2 diabetes. Journal of Proteome Research, 22(2), 729-741. [5] Valvi, D., Midya, V., & BioMe Study Team. (2023). PFAS and lipid metabolism: A potential contributor to type 2 diabetes risk. Metabolism, 80(3), 253-262.
- The researchers' study highlights a potential connection between Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and the development of type 2 diabetes, implying that these chemicals could be a risk factor for chronic diseases like diabetes.
- The study's findings propose that PFAS may disrupt critical metabolic processes, especially in the realms of amino-acid biosynthesis and drug metabolism, leading to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, primarily in genetically or environmentally susceptible individuals.
- As the study did not provide specifics on the duration or level of PFAS exposure needed to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, further extensive research is crucial to understand the effects of PFAS on health, potentially leading to prevention or treatment strategies for reducing the associated risk.
