TITLE:
Effects of Environmental Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Exposure and Pro-Inflammatory Activity on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in US Adults
AUTHORS:
Shweta Srivastava
KEYWORDS:
PAHs, Alcohol, CRP, HbA1C, T2DM
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Air Pollution,
Vol.11 No.2,
June
24,
2022
ABSTRACT: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are formed
due to natural and anthropogenic activities and known for their
potential impact and persistence in the environment. PAHs exposure has been
linked to cause adverse health effect including lung cancer, heart conditions
and genetic mutations. The understanding of metabolic effects of PAHs exposure is less clear especially in the presence of
pro-inflammatory stress like alcoholism or diabetes. The aim of this article is to understand the metabolic effects
of PAHs exposure on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) by analyzing the clinical
biomarkers data retrieved from the National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey, Center for Disease Control (CDC NHANES) (2015-16). This study has also
accessed the interactive impact of PAHs and other proinflammatory factors, like
alcohol intake on the metabolic syndrome on T2DM. We investigated urinary
levels of hydroxylated PAHs metabolites (OH-PAHs) along with demographic,
clinical and laboratory data. Generalize linear model Univariate factorial
ANOVA was used to evaluate the group differences in the demographics, PAH
exposure, drinking patterns, clinical data, and biomarker levels. Linear
regression model was used to analyze the association of biomarkers, PAH
exposure and drinking data. Multivariable regression model was used for
multi-independent model to assess comorbidity association and their effect
sizes on the clinical outcomes. The results indicated that BMI (p = 0.002), and
age (≤0.001) are independent demographic risk factors for T2DM in high PAHs
exposure. Acute proinflammatory activity characterized by CRP, is augmented by
elevated monocyte levels (p ≤ 0.001) and stepwise addition of 1-Hydroxynapthelene
(p = 0.005), and 2-Hydroxynapthelene (p = 0.001) independently. Prevalence of
highest average drinks over time is observed in the high PAHs exposure; with
males drinking almost twice compared to females in highly exposed population.
Pathway response of T2DM shows sexual dimorphism; with males showing
association with triglycerides (p ≤ 0.001), and females with CRP (p = 0.015)
independently with HbA1C. The arrangement of CRP, absolute monocyte levels,
serum triglycerides and average drinks over time predict the HbA1C levels
(adjusted R2 = 0.226, p ≤ 0.001) in individuals with high PAHs exposure.
Findings from this investigation support the pathological role of high exposure
of PAHs in the exacerbation of metabolic disorder syndrome involving T2DM. Sexual
dimorphism is reflected in alcohol drinking, with males drinking more in the
high PAHs exposure group. Alcohol drinking as an independent factor was associated
with the T2DM indicator, HbA1C in individuals with high PAHs exposure.