Diabetogenic Potential of Bisphenol: A Cross Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v52i1.88151Keywords:
Bisphenol A, Diabetes Mellitus, Endocrine Disruptors, Insulin Resistance, Environmental ExposureAbstract
Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous environmental endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) widely found in plastics and food packaging. Growing epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests BPA exposure may contribute to metabolic dysfunction, particularly diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the association between serum BPA levels and diabetes mellitus, examining whether elevated BPA concentrations correlate with increased diabetic risk and altered glycemic parameters.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 240 participants (120 individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 120 age- and sex-matched controls). Serum BPA levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Glycemic parameters, including fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR, were assessed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between BPA exposure and diabetes prevalence, adjusting for potential confounders including age, sex, body mass index, physical activity, and dietary factors.
Results: Median serum BPA levels were significantly higher in diabetic participants compared to controls (3.82 μg/L vs 1.64 μg/L, p<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, participants in the highest BPA quartile demonstrated 3.74-fold increased odds of diabetes (OR 3.74, 95% CI: 1.89-7.42) compared to the lowest quartile. Serum BPA concentrations showed positive correlations with fasting glucose (r=0.48, p<0.001), HbA1c (r=0.51, p<0.001), and HOMA-IR (r=0.44, p<0.001). Dose-response relationships were observed between BPA exposure and markers of insulin resistance.
Conclusion: Elevated serum BPA levels are significantly associated with T2DM and impaired glycemic control. These findings support BPA's potential diabetogenic effects and highlight the need for public health interventions to reduce environmental BPA exposure. Further prospective studies are warranted to establish causality and elucidate underlying mechanisms.
Bangladesh Medical Res Counc Bull 2026;52(1): 30-39
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Copyright (c) 2026 Shahjada Selim, Hafiza Lona, Debatosh Paul, Syed Azmal Mahmood
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