title: Exposure to persistent organic pollutants: relationship with abnormal glucose metabolism and visceral adiposity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The contribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to the pandemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity has been assumed but remains speculative. Our study aimed at investigating the relationship of POP levels with detailed markers of glucose metabolism and body composition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Glucose tolerance was determined in a group of normal-weight and obese individuals. Fat distribution was assessed with abdominal computed tomography (CT) scanning, determining subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Selected POPs (28 polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs] and the pesticide p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene [p,p'-DDE]) were measured in serum. In a subset of obese individuals undergoing bariatric surgery, POPs were also measured in adipose tissue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among obese participants, serum and adipose tissue levels of POPs were significantly correlated to glucose levels during an oral glucose tolerance test. Logistic regression using a model including age, age(2), sex, family history of diabetes, BMI, CT-VAT, smoking behavior, physical activity level score, and a POP level identified serum levels of PCB153, the sum of PCBs and p,p'-DDE as significant predictors of abnormal glucose tolerance (odds ratio 4.6, 4.8, and 3.4, respectively; P < 0.05). Adipose tissue levels of p,p'-DDE were also significant predictors (odds ratio 81.6; P < 0.05). Serum levels of PCBs were inversely related to BMI, while serum and adipose tissue levels of all POPs were positively related to the CT-VAT/SAT ratio, suggesting an important role for the visceral fat compartment in POP dynamics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings further sustain the theory that exposure to environmentally relevant levels of POPs may exert both a diabetogenic and obesogenic effect.
authors: Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.
authors: Eveline L
authors: EL
authors: Dirinck
authors: Toxicology Centre, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors: Alin C
authors: AC
authors: Dirtu
authors: Toxicology Centre, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors: Malarvannan
authors: M
authors: Govindan
authors: Toxicology Centre, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors: Adrian
authors: A
authors: Covaci
authors: Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium luc.van.gaal@uza.be.
authors: Luc F
authors: LF
authors: Van Gaal
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.
authors: Philippe G
authors: PG
authors: Jorens
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D050154:Adiposity / Q000187:drug effects*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001823:Body Composition; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000097:blood; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000097:blood; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010575:Pesticides; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; D005947:Glucose