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Xylene exposure, miR-181b-5p and miR-106b-5p alterations, and type 2 diabetes mellitus: Exploring relationship,

Qiaoming Liang1, Yani Xiong2, Zhiying Huo2

  • 1School of Public Health and Health Management & First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
|June 29, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Exposure to xylene, a common volatile organic compound, is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This association may be mediated by microRNAs miR-181b-5p and miR-106b-5p, involving the PPAR signaling pathway.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Xylene is a prevalent volatile organic compound with largely unknown associations with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) miR-181b-5p and miR-106b-5p are implicated in glucose metabolism, suggesting potential roles in T2DM pathogenesis.
  • The mechanisms linking xylene exposure to T2DM remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between xylene exposure and T2DM in adults.
  • To explore the potential mediating roles of plasma miR-181b-5p and miR-106b-5p in the xylene-T2DM association.
  • To elucidate potential molecular pathways, including network toxicology and molecular docking, involved in xylene-induced T2DM.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 138 newly diagnosed T2DM patients and 138 matched healthy controls.
  • Measurement of urinary xylene exposure biomarkers (2-methyl hippuric acid [2MHA], 3-methyl hippuric acid [3MHA], and ΣUXYM) and plasma miR-181b-5p/miR-106b-5p.
  • Statistical analyses using generalized linear/logistic models and mediation analyses, supplemented by network toxicology and molecular docking.

Main Results:

  • Urinary biomarkers 2MHA, 3MHA, ΣUXYM, and plasma miR-181b-5p and miR-106b-5p were all positively associated with T2DM odds.
  • 2MHA showed a positive relationship with both miR-181b-5p and miR-106b-5p, partially mediating the association between 2MHA exposure and T2DM.
  • Network analyses suggested the involvement of the Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway and targets like estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) in the xylene-T2DM link.

Conclusions:

  • Adult exposure to xylene is positively associated with an increased risk of T2DM.
  • The observed association between xylene exposure and T2DM is partially mediated by miR-181b-5p and miR-106b-5p.
  • The PPAR signaling pathway and its targets, such as ESR1, are potential mechanistic links in xylene-induced T2DM.
Keywords:
MechanismsMediationMiR-106b-5pMiR-181b-5pType 2 diabetes mellitusXylene

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