The association between persistent organic pollutants, type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance in two First Nations communities in Northen Ontario

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests an association between persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and type 2 diabetes. In two First Nations communities of high wild food consumption, specific objectives were formulated to: (1) compare POP levels between diabetics and non-diabetics; (2) investigate the association between POPs and insulin resistance in non-diabetics; and (3) determine the effects of POPs on certain inflammatory markers. Results indicated significantly higher age-adjusted plasma concentrations of some POPs in diabetics as compared to non-diabetics. Body mass index was found to be the most significant predictor of insulin resistance. There was a positive association of Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF)-alpha with oxychlordane and mono/di-ortho substituted polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Positive associations were detected between adiponectin and mono/di-ortho substituted PCBs as well as some pesticides. Results indicate that diabetics have higher levels of some POPs than non-diabetics. In non-diabetics, POPs are unrelated to insulin resistance although some are positively associated with inflammatory markers.