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Review
. 2015 Feb;143(2):231-41.
doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfu250.

Air pollution as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes

Xiaoquan Rao  1 , Priti Patel  1 , Robin Puett  1 , Sanjay Rajagopalan  2
Affiliations
Review

Air pollution as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes

Xiaoquan Rao et al. Toxicol Sci. 2015 Feb.

Abstract

Recent studies in both humans and animals suggest that air pollution is an important risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the mechanism by which air pollution mediates propensity to diabetes is not fully understood. While a number of epidemiologic studies have shown a positive association between ambient air pollution exposure and risk for T2DM, some studies have not found such a relationship. Experimental studies in susceptible disease models do support this association and suggest the involvement of tissues involved in the pathogenesis of T2DM such as the immune system, adipose, liver, and central nervous system. This review summarizes the epidemiologic and experimental evidence between ambient outdoor air pollution and T2DM.

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Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
Effect of air pollution on immune system, adipose tissue, muscle, liver, and brain. M1, classically activated macrophages; M2, alternatively activated macrophages; Th1, T helper type 1; Th2, T helper type 2; GLUT4, glucose transporter type 4.
FIG. 2.
FIG. 2.
Mechanisms underlying air pollution-mediated immune activation. PM, particulate matter; TLR, Toll-like receptor; Treg, regulatory T cells; CCL2, C-C motif ligand 2; CCR2, C-C chemokine receptor type 2; NLRP3, NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3; NO, nitric oxide; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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