Longitudinal Associations of PFAS Exposure with Insulin Sensitivity and β-cell Function among Hispanic Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus History
Objective
Research Design and Methods
Eighty Hispanic women with GDM history were followed from third trimester of pregnancy to 12 years after delivery. Oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests were conducted during follow-up. Plasma PFAS concentrations were measured at third trimester of pregnancy and first postpartum visit. Linear mixed-effects model analyzed associations between PFAS and trajectories of diabetes indicators, adjusted for age, breastfeeding status, total calories, and body fat percentage.
Results
Increased MeFOSAA was associated with faster increase in fasting glucose (p=0.003). Increased PFNA and n-PFOA were associated with faster increase in fasting insulin (=0.04,=0.02) and faster decrease in AIRg (=0.04,=0.02).
Conclusion
PFAS exposure is associated with glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and β-cell dysfunction, increasing type 2 diabetes risk.