Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2025

A Murine Pancreatic Islet Cell-based Screening for Diabetogenic Environmental Chemicals
Published on: June 25, 2018
Association between polychlorinated biphenyls exposure and incident type 2 diabetes mellitus: A nested case-control
Peiwen Li1, Yali Xu1, Zhaoyang Li1
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Background:
Previous epidemiological studies indicated that the association between polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was inconclusive.
Objective:
We investigated the association between PCBs exposure and incident T2DM in a nested case-control study, and further explored the relationship between PCBs and 5-year fasting blood glucose (FBG) changes.
Methods:
Baseline concentrations of seven indicator-PCB (PCB-28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) were measured in 1006 pairs of incident T2DM cases and matched controls nested within the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort. Conditional logistic regression models and pre-adjusted residuals method were used to assess the associations between PCBs and incident T2DM. We further computed beta coefficients (βs) of 5-year FBG changes using multivariable generalized linear regression.
Results:
Non-dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs) were significantly associated with higher T2DM incidence after adjustment for all covariates. Significant differences were observed for extreme quartiles comparisons (Q4 vs. Q1) of PCBs except PCB-138, and the incidence of T2DM were 1- to 3-fold higher among those in the highest versus lowest PCBs quartiles. Serum NDL-PCBs were positively associated with changes in FBG (P for overall association ≤0.01). Additionally, triglycerides mediated the associations between PCBs and T2DM incidence.
Conclusion:
Our findings showed positive associations of NDL-PCBs with incident T2DM and 5-year FBG changes. PCBs increased incident T2DM via lipid metabolic pathways.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer

