Traffic exposure in a population with high prevalence type 2 diabetes – Do medications influence concentrations of C-reactive protein?

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2011-08, Vol.159 (8), p.2051-2060
• Main Authors: Rioux, Christine L., Tucker, Katherine L., Brugge, Doug, Gute, David M., Mwamburi, Mkaya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adults; Aged; Air Pollutants; Air Pollutants - analysis; Air Pollutants - toxicity; Air pollution; Air Pollution - statistics & numerical data; analysis; anti-inflammatory activity; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers; Biomarkers - metabolism; C-reactive protein; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; Cross-Sectional Studies; Density; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - epidemiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - immunology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - metabolism; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; disease severity; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Exposure - analysis; Environmental Exposure - statistics & numerical data; epidemiology; Etiopathogenesis. Screening. Investigations. Target tissue resistance; Female; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Hypoglycemic Agents - metabolism; immunology; Inflammation; Insulin; Insulin - metabolism; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Medical sciences; metabolism; Middle Aged; noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; people; Prevalence; Proteins; Puerto; Residential traffic exposure; Rican; Roadways; statistics & numerical data; toxicity; traffic; Traffic density; Traffic engineering; Traffic flow; Traffic proximity; Type 2 diabetes; Vehicle Emissions; Vehicle Emissions - analysis; Vehicle Emissions - toxicity
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2010.12.025

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and particulate air pollution are associated with inflammatory dysregulation. We assessed the modifying effects of diabetes medications on the association of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, and traffic exposure in adults with T2D ( n = 379). CRP concentrations were significantly positively associated with residence ≤100 m of a roadway, >100 m and ≤200 m of a roadway and increased traffic density for individuals using insulin. For individuals using oral hypoglycemic medications (OHAs), CRP was significantly negatively associated with residence >100 m – ≤200 m of a roadway and multiple roadway exposure in an interaction model. Among people with diabetes, individuals on insulin appear to be most vulnerable to the effects of traffic exposure. Disease severity among insulin users may promote the pro-inflammatory response to traffic exposure, though diabetes medications may also modify the response. Possible anti-inflammatory effects of OHAs with traffic exposure merit further evaluation. ►We examine traffic exposure in a population with high rates of Type 2 Diabetes. ►Differences in CRP were evaluated by traffic levels, medication use and type. ►Those on insulin had significantly higher CRP with traffic exposure. ►Interaction models demonstrated lower CRP with traffic exposure and OHA use. ►Diabetes medications may modify the response to traffic exposure. Among people with diabetes, individuals on insulin appear to be most vulnerable to the effects of traffic exposure. Diabetes medications may modify the response to traffic.