The link of environmental estrogens exposure to oxidative stress and their association with insulin- and exercise-induced glucose uptake

Background and aim

Bisphenol -A and –S (BPA and BPS), chemicals used in food packaging, have been associated with risk of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes (T2D) development. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between BPA, BPS and oxidative stress with lipid profiles and changes on blood glucose induced via aerobic exercise assessed by an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Methods

Male and female young adults (23.52 ± 2.47 yrs old) participated in 2 separate testing days. On both days, an OGTT was performed, wherein blood glucose was measured before Maltodextrin consumption and following 30-, 60-, and 75-min. On the exercising day, subjects ran for 30-min while they remained seated on the resting day. Urinary BPA, BPS and 8-isoprostane (a marker of oxidative stress) were assessed each day. Lipid profile, body fat percentage and physical fitness was also analyzed.

Results

Blood glucose uptake of both experimental days was negatively associated with body fat (r = −0.52 resting and −0.51 exercising) and to 8-isoprostane on the exercising day (ρ = −0.47). Urinary BPA and BPS were positively associated with 8-isoprostane (ρ = 0.73, for both bisphenols). BPA and 8-isoprostane were negatively correlated with physical fitness (ρ = −0.58 and −0.74, respectively) while 8-isoprostane was negatively associated with increased HDL (ρ = −0.47).

Conclusions

The interrelation between 8-isoprostane and both BPA and BPS suggest that oxidative stress could be the link between the harmful effect of these chemicals on the human body.