Environmental contaminants and pancreatic beta-cells.

Environmental contaminants and pancreatic beta-cells. J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol. 2016 Apr 18; Authors: Fabricio G, Malta A, Chango A, Mathias PC Abstract Despite health policies as well as clinical and research efforts, the prevalence of diabetes is increasing worldwide. There are many risk factors for metabolic dysfunction, with most being related to familial background, a Western diet, which is rich in fat/carbohydrates, and a sedentary lifestyle. Type 2 diabetes involves malfunction of primary pancreatic beta-cells that is usually attributed to local damage. However, the disease can be associated with other stress-inducing environmental agents, such as chemical contaminants from food, plastic and air. Indeed, exposure to these chemical agents during perinatal and adolescent life can increase the risk of developing cardiometabolic disease later in life. This review explores data showing which environmental chemical agents may produce beta-cell injury and further impair the insulinotropic process of type 2 diabetes. Factors to consider regarding unusual causes of metabolic diseases, such as environmental contaminants, are also discussed. PMID: 27087124 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: JCRPE Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology - Category: Endocrinology Tags: J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol Source Type: research