Research reveals potential link between exposure to 'perennial substances' and enhanced susceptibility to type 2 diabetes
A new study conducted at Mount Sinai Hospital suggests that exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), often referred to as "forever chemicals," may raise the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The study, one of the first to investigate this potential link, matched 180 individuals recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with 180 similar participants who did not have diabetes. Using an exposomics framework, the researchers examined how increasing PFAS exposure related to subsequent diabetes risk.
PFAS interfere with the body's metabolism by altering how cells regulate blood sugar, inflammation, and energy balance. One key disruption is in amino acid metabolism, such as changes in glutamate metabolism, which is linked to obesity and insulin resistance—both important precursors to type 2 diabetes. By impairing insulin sensitivity and disturbing fat storage mechanisms, PFAS contribute to a progressive shift towards insulin resistance, setting the stage for diabetes development even in individuals without traditional risk factors.
The study found signs that PFAS may disrupt critical metabolic processes, specifically amino-acid biosynthesis and drug metabolism. The key finding was a 31% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes for each step up in PFAS exposure. Blood levels of PFAS were linked to about a 31% increased future risk of type 2 diabetes.
These metabolic disruptions involve pathways controlling insulin sensitivity, amino acid metabolism, and fat storage regulation. Reduced insulin sensitivity leads to impaired glucose uptake and higher blood sugar, while altered amino acid synthesis and breakdown affect protein building blocks and metabolic regulation, influencing energy balance and inflammation. Changes in how the body stores and mobilizes fat contribute to obesity, further increasing diabetes risk.
The findings can help in designing more effective interventions for the early prevention of type 2 diabetes, taking into account individuals' exposures to environmental chemicals along with other factors. Researcher Damaskini Valvi stated that the study's results highlight environmental PFAS exposure as a significant external factor disrupting metabolic homeostasis and increasing diabetes susceptibility beyond genetics and lifestyle alone.
PFAS accumulate in the environment and in human bodies and are found in countless everyday consumer products. Mounting research suggests that PFAS are a risk factor for several chronic diseases, such as obesity, liver disease, and diabetes. Vishal Midya, Ph.D., M.Stat., a researcher involved in the study, emphasized that the findings can help in understanding the complex relationship between PFAS exposure and diabetes risk.
The study was conducted using BioMe, a health-record linked biobank at Mount Sinai Hospital with over 70,000 enrolled participants since 2007. Metabolic disruptions in amino-acid and drug-processing pathways may offer clues to how PFAS interfere with blood sugar regulation, particularly in diverse U.S. populations.
The study compared 180 newly diagnosed diabetes cases with 180 matched non‐diabetic controls from Mount Sinai's BioMe cohort. The researchers analysed large biobank cohorts and blood sample comparisons to support their findings.
As research continues, it is essential to consider the potential health impacts of PFAS exposure and to develop strategies for reducing exposure to these chemicals in everyday consumer products. By understanding the mechanisms through which PFAS contribute to type 2 diabetes risk, researchers can work towards preventing this chronic disease and improving public health.
- This new study at Mount Sinai Hospital links exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), known as "forever chemicals," to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- The study found that for each increase in PFAS exposure, there is a 31% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, suggesting a potential link between these chemicals and chronic diseases like diabetes.
- As research progresses, understanding the relationship between PFAS exposure and diabetes risk could lead to more effective interventions for the early prevention of type 2 diabetes and improved health and wellness.
