Organic pesticides associated with increased risk of diabetes19 February 2013 A study led by the University of Granada has shown a direct relationship between the presence of persistent organic pollutants in the body and the development of type 2 diabetes, regardless of the patient’s age, gender or body mass index. Organic pollutants tend to concentrate in body fat and might be one of the reasons why obese people are more likely to develop diabetes, since the more fat the higher the COP concentrations in the body. In a paper recently published in the journal Environmental Research, researchers demonstrate that people with higher concentrations of DDE — the main metabolite of the pesticide DDT — are four times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than other people. In addition, the risk of type 2 diabetes is also associated with exposure to β-HCH (beta-Hexachlorocyclohexane), which is present in the formula of the pesticide Lindane. University of Granada and San Cecilio researcher, Juan Pedro Arrebola said, “Human adipose tissue acts as an energy reservoir and has an important metabolic function. However, adipose tissue can store potentially harmful substances, such as persistent organic pollutants (COPs)”. This makes COPs concentrations a useful marker of a subject’s exposure to COPs. COPs are a group of chemicals with diverse characteristics which are present in pesticides, industrial waste and building materials. These compounds penetrate the body mainly through food, but also through air or the skin. According to Professor Arrebola, “The mechanism of action by which COPs increases the risk of diabetes is still unknown. However, some researchers have suggested that COPs might cause an immunological response when they penetrate estrogen receptors in tissues associated with the metabolism of sugars.” The prevalence of diabetes in the world has significantly increased in the last decades. It is estimated that by 2030, 4.4% of the world population have this metabolic disorder. This will have a severe impact on public health programs, since it is highly resource-consuming. The factors causing such increase in the prevalence of diabetes are not still clearly understood. Reference Arrebola JP et al. Adipose tissue concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and prevalence of type 2 diabetes in adults from Southern Spain. Environ Res. 2013. doi:pii: S0013-9351(12)00321-0. 10.1016/j.envres.2012.12.001
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