Perfluoroalkyl substances and beta cell deficient diabetes.
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic hydrocarbons shown to preserve pancreatic islet cell viability and reduce islet cell hypoxia and apoptosis. We investigated the relationship of serum PFAS with diabetes, and whether this varied by diabetes type.



6,460 individuals with and 60,439 without diabetes from the C8 Health Project, were categorized into three groups: type 1 (n=820), type 2 (n=4,291), or uncategorized diabetes (n=1,349, missing data on diabetes type or diabetes based on blood sugar at study entry). Four PFAS were investigated: perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorononaoic acid (PFNA).



PFAS levels were significantly lower in those with diabetes, and lowest in those with type 1 diabetes. In age and sex adjusted analyses, ORs (CI) for type 1, type 2, and uncategorized diabetes compared to no diabetes were 0.59 (0.54-0.64), 0.74 (0.71-0.77), 0.84 (0.78-0.90), respectively for PFHxS; 0.69 (0.65-0.74), 0.87 (0.89-0.91), 0.92 (0.88-0.97), respectively for PFOA; 0.65 (0.61-0.70), 0.86 (0.82-0.90), 0.93 (0.86-1.03), respectively for PFOS; and 0.65 (0.57-0.74), 0.94 (0.88-1.00), 0.95 (0.85-1.06), respectively for PFNA. Further adjustment for eGFR and other covariates did not eliminate these inverse associations.



PFAS levels were negatively associated with diabetes. This inverse relationship was strongest for type 1 diabetes, suggesting the relationship with serum PFAS may vary with the severity of islet cell deficiency.
Department of Epidemiology, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 9127, Morgantown, WV 26505. Electronic address: bnconway@hsc.wvu.edu.
Baqiyyah
B
Conway
Department of Epidemiology, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 9127, Morgantown, WV 26505.
Karen E
KE
Innes
Department of Biostatistics, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 9127, Morgantown, WV 26505.
Dustin
D
Long
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D060766:Drinking Water; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014903:West Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D060766:Drinking Water; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Beta cell; Environmental contaminants; Islet cell; Perfluoroalkyl substances; Perfluorocarbons; Type 1 diabetes