Air Pollution, Oxidative Stress, and Diabetes: a Life Course Epidemiologic Perspective

Chris C. Lim, George D. Thurston

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Ambient air pollution is strongly linked to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. We summarize available published evidence regarding similar associations with diabetes across the life course. Recent Findings: We performed a life-course survey of the recent literature, including prenatal, gestational, childhood/adolescence, and adult exposures to air pollution. Oxidative stress is identified as a key factor in both metabolic dysfunction and the effects of air pollution exposure, especially from fossil fuel combustion products, providing a plausible mechanism for air pollution-diabetes associations. The global burden of diabetes attributed to air pollution exposure is substantial, with a recent estimate that ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure contributes to more than 200,000 deaths from diabetes annually. Summary: There is a growing body of literature linking air pollution exposure during childhood and adulthood with diabetes etiology and related cardiometabolic biomarkers. A small number of studies found that exposure to air pollution during pregnancy is associated with elevated gestational diabetes risk among mothers. Studies examining prenatal air pollution exposure and diabetes risk among the offspring, as well as potential transgenerational effects of air pollution exposure, are very limited thus far. This review provides insight into how air pollutants affect diabetes and other metabolic dysfunction-related diseases across the different life stages.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number58
JournalCurrent diabetes reports
Volume19
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Air pollution
  • Diabetes
  • Oxidative stress
  • Particulate matter

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

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