Higher HDL-C levels attenuated the association of plasma polybrominated diphenyl ethers with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus in rural Chinese adults

Qingqing Xu; Keliang Fan; Dandan Wei; Lulu Wang; Juan Wang; Yu Song; Mian Wang; Mengzhen Zhao; Xiaotian Liu; Wenqian Huo; Linlin Li; Jian Hou; Tao Jing; Chongjian Wang; Zhenxing Mao

doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115524

Higher HDL-C levels attenuated the association of plasma polybrominated diphenyl ethers with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus in rural Chinese adults

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2023 Oct 15:265:115524. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115524. Epub 2023 Sep 28.

Authors

Qingqing Xu¹, Keliang Fan², Dandan Wei¹, Lulu Wang¹, Juan Wang¹, Yu Song¹, Mian Wang¹, Mengzhen Zhao¹, Xiaotian Liu¹, Wenqian Huo³, Linlin Li¹, Jian Hou¹, Tao Jing⁴, Chongjian Wang¹, Zhenxing Mao⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China.
² Teaching and Training Department, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University/ The First Hospital of Jiaxing, 314000 Zhejiang, China.
³ Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China.
⁴ School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
⁵ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China. Electronic address: maozhr@gmail.com.

PMID: 37776820
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115524

Abstract

Background: Plasma polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) were used as flame retardants widely, however, epidemiological evidence for the association between PBDEs and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is inconsistent. Moreover, the combined effects of PBDEs and blood lipid indicators on impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and T2DM remains largely unknown in rural areas lacking good waste recycling infrastructure.

Methods: In this study, a total of 2607 subjects aged 18-79 years were included from the Henan Rural Cohort. Generalized linear and logistic regression models were applied to evaluate the associations of various PBDE pollutants on IFG and T2DM. Quantile g-computation regression and PBDE pollution score created by the adaptive elastic net were applied to evaluate the impact of PBDEs mixtures on IFG and T2DM. Interaction effects of individual PBDE pollutants and blood lipid indicators on IFG and T2DM were assessed by using Interaction plots.

Results: The geometric mean concentrations (detection rates) were 0.09 ng/mL (100.0%), 0.12 ng/mL (97.8%), 0.22 ng/mL (94.7%), 0.16 ng/mL (99.2%) and 0.28 ng/mL (100.0%) for PBDE-28, PBDE-47, PBDE-99, and PBDE-153 respectively. However, PBDE-28, PBDE-99, PBDE-100, and ΣPBDEs were positively associated with IFG (odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals (CIs)): 1.14 (1.06, 1.23), 1.16 (1.04, 1.29), 1.25 (1.14, 1.37), and 1.27 (1.08, 1.50)). Similarly, PBDE-28, PBDE-47, PBDE-99, PBDE-100, and ΣPBDEs were positively associated with T2DM (ORs (95% CIs): 1.30 (1.10, 1.54), 1.13 (1.06, 1.22), 1.27 (1.13, 1.43), 1.27 (1.15, 1.40), and 1.30 (1.10, 1.54)). Moreover, five PBDE mixtures or jointly as PBDE pollution score, were significantly associated with an increased risk of T2DM (P < 0.05 for all). In addition, the harmful effect of PBDE exposure on T2DM was decreased with accompanying high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels increased.

Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of managing PBDEs contamination and suggest that HDL-C may be a novel way to prevent T2DM.

Keywords: High‐density lipoprotein cholesterol; Impaired fasting glucose; Polybrominated diphenyl ethers; Type 2 diabetes mellitus.