Exposure to bisphenols and their relation to diabetes mellitus: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: Bisphenols (BPs), such as BPA, BPS, BPF, and BPAF, are endocrine disruptors associated with metabolic disorders like diabetes mellitus (DM). This study reviews high-caliber research to evaluate BP exposure’s potential link to DM, examining mechanisms, patterns, and demographic differences to inform public health policies.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, studies were sourced from PubMed and Web of Science. Recent human research on bisphenol exposure and diabetes was included, excluding animal and in vitro studies. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool, and three reviewers selected articles. Ethical approval was not required as secondary data were analyzed.

Results: A total of 277 references were retrieved. After removing 55 duplicates, 126 for not meeting criteria, and 76 for irrelevance, 20 studies were selected. The study finds a moderate link between bisphenol exposure and diabetes, stronger in pregnant and obese individuals. Limitations include study design, biomarker variability, and small sample sizes.

Conclusion: This study suggests a potential link between bisphenol exposure and diabetes risk, particularly in obese individuals. Factors like sex, age, and family history may also play a role. However, inconsistencies highlight the need for more rigorous research with standardized methods and better biomarker assessments to confirm these findings.