Changes in diabetic and renal profile of people exposed to fluoride in south India

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is leading cause of Diabetic microvascular complications. India stands second across the globe in prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Due to deficit rain fall, the water table is exposed to more of salts and minerals from the rocks underground. One of the minerals is the Fluoride. Fluoride in negligible amount is good for dental health, chronic exposure to higher range of fluoride causes various metabolic disturbances. Aim: To study the effect of chronic fluoride exposure on diabetes mellitus. A total of 288 study subjects were recruited. The blood samples and urine samples were collected from all the study subjects. Study groups; Group1: Healthy Controls, Group2: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Group3: Diabetic Nephropathy. The serum (0.313± 0.154) and urine (0.3±0.6) fluoride values of diabetic nephropathy group were significantly decreased in comparison between groups. The primary objective of the fluoride with insulin (-0.06) levels are inversely correlating and fluoride with microalbumin (0.083) levels are directly correlating. Results of the study gave a clear picture of effect of fluoride on insulin action and renal damage. In conclusion, though there is no significant effect of fluoride on FBS, PPBS and HbA1c, insulin is the determining factor for glucose homeostasis which is decreased. Microalbumin is yet another marker for renal clearance which is increased. Therefore, fluoride shall be considered as a parameter in prognosis of metabolic disorder especially Diabetes mellitus in fluoride endemic areas.