Issue 2, 2011

Relationship of polychlorinated biphenyls with type 2 diabetes and hypertension

Abstract

Diabetes and hypertension are important contributors to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Both of these conditions are caused by some combination of genetic and environmental factors which may include exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Studies have shown an association between elevated serum PCBs and the metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. Cross-sectional studies have shown associations between diabetes or hypertension and certain PCB congeners or classes, while those same studies show no association between diabetes or hypertension and several other PCB congeners. In animal and human cell studies, various PCBs and dioxins appear to alter glucose and insulin metabolism. These studies specifically show effects on the glucose transporter (GLUT-4) gene and protein; insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1); nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NFκB); tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α); and insulin production. There are a few longitudinal studies examining the association of diabetes or hypertension and PCBs with no consensus conclusion. Some longitudinal studies have found there to be an association, others have not and a gender difference has also been noted. Prospective studies are needed to determine if PCBs and other POPs contribute to development of diabetes and hypertension.

Graphical abstract: Relationship of polychlorinated biphenyls with type 2 diabetes and hypertension

Article information

Article type
Critical Review
Submitted
04 Aug 2010
Accepted
04 Nov 2010
First published
02 Dec 2010

J. Environ. Monit., 2011,13, 241-251

Relationship of polychlorinated biphenyls with type 2 diabetes and hypertension

C. J. Everett, I. Frithsen and M. Player, J. Environ. Monit., 2011, 13, 241 DOI: 10.1039/C0EM00400F

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Spotlight

Advertisements