Bisphenol A and Insulin Secretion: Type 2 Diabetes and Beyond

Image Citation: [1]

Written by Cindy Su ‘27

Edited by Parsa Lajmiri ‘26

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes is on the rise. With the rise of foods high in added sugars, diet has been largely blamed for the development of type 2 diabetes. While this is one major factor, the roles of other environmental factors are not as commonly recognized. With a modernizing society, not only have foods become sweeter, but harmful chemicals have increasingly infiltrated our environment ubiquitously. One example is bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is used in plastic products such as toys, pipes, water bottles, and food containers. It is found commonly in human fluids and tissues, including placental tissue and umbilical cord blood. This is especially concerning because fetuses are more sensitive to the effects of BPA than adults due to underdeveloped organs and smaller body weight. BPA acts as an endocrine disruptor, meaning it can interfere with hormone signaling by mimicking certain hormones, and it affects subsequent bodily processes such as metabolism and development [2].

This article will focus on the extent to which BPA affects the development and implications of insulin resistance, and it suggests limiting the use of plastics in addition to changes in diet to counter the potential health effects of BPA.

Epigenetics and BPA

There is prevalent evidence that establishes the link between gestational (during fetal development) exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and epigenetic modification. This means EDCs can alter gene expression throughout life without changing the DNA [3]. Thus, evaluating family history of type 2 diabetes may become less reliable for determining one’s own risk. BPA, for example, induces changes in methylation of gene promoters and expression of miRNA. Poor glucose metabolism and beta-cell failure, both hallmarks of type 2 diabetes, may be a result of gestational BPA exposure [3, 4].

Pancreas

Alpha and beta estrogen receptors are contained in pancreatic beta-cells, and their interaction with 17beta-estradiol (E2) at physiological levels is necessary for insulin release and beta-cell maintenance [5]. However, elevated levels of E2 may amplify insulin release, promoting hyperinsulinemia and subsequent insulin resistance [5, 6]. BPA mimics E2 and therefore may contribute to the development of insulin resistance [5]. Elevated levels of insulin result in the downregulation of insulin receptors on various cells due to continuous exposure to insulin, and ultimately contribute to developing type 2 diabetes [7].

Liver

In conjunction with a reduction in the expression of insulin receptors, hepatic (relating to the liver) glucose oxidation was reduced in rats treated with BPA [8]. In fact, chemical food contaminants at low doses may contribute to metabolic dysfunction in the liver of offspring of obese mice. In exposures of BPA below regulatory limits, animals developed glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia due to altered gene expression [8].

Beyond Type-2 Diabetes: Other Potential Impacts of Abnormal Insulin Secretion

Elevated levels of insulin from BPA exposure may increase the risk of other health conditions beyond type 2 diabetes.

One example is cancer. Anabolic signaling—a mechanism for cell growth—may be stimulated through insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), which is stimulated by insulin. Additionally, insulin and IGF-1 inhibit apoptosis, further promoting tumor development [9].

Beyond cancer, BPA-induced insulin elevation may also affect skin health. Elevated insulin levels from BPA exposure may partially contribute to the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. Insulin and IGF-1 activate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which promotes cell growth, especially in sebocytes and keratinocytes, leading to increased sebaceous lipogenesis [10].

Next Steps

There may be ways to reduce the potential health impacts of abnormal insulin release due to BPA exposure. Reducing the use of plastics could be potentially effective as a preventative measure. Choosing BPA-free products and avoiding microwaving food in plastic containers may be helpful. However, this may be difficult to achieve, as water pipes and food production/packaging (which is out of an individual’s control) commonly use plastics that potentially contain BPA [2]. Additionally, maintaining a diet low in sugar and ultra-processed carbohydrates may directly reduce insulin secretion, thereby countering some of the effects that BPA has on our health.

 References

1. Diabetes | Kaiser Permanente. https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/diabetes. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

2. Vandenberg, Laura N., et al. “Human Exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA).” Reproductive Toxicology, vol. 24, no. 2, Aug. 2007, pp. 139–77. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2007.07.010.

3. Rahmani, Soheila, et al. “Bisphenol A: What Lies beneath Its Induced Diabetes and the Epigenetic Modulation?” Life Sciences, vol. 214, Dec. 2018, pp. 136–44. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2018.10.044.

4. Lin, Jian-Yan, and Rui-Xing Yin. “Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Later Life.” Exposure and Health, vol. 15, no. 1, Mar. 2023, pp. 199–229. Springer Link, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-022-00486-0.

5. Alonso-Magdalena, Paloma, et al. “The Estrogenic Effect of Bisphenol A Disrupts Pancreatic β-Cell Function In Vivo and Induces Insulin Resistance.” Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 114, no. 1, Jan. 2006, pp. 106–12. ehp.niehs.nih.gov (Atypon), https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8451.

6. Beale, Elmus G. “Insulin Signaling and Insulin Resistance.” Journal of Investigative Medicine, vol. 61, no. 1, Jan. 2013, pp. 11–14. SAGE Journals, https://doi.org/10.2310/JIM.0b013e3182746f95.

7. Lewis, Stanley T., et al. “A Receptor Story: Insulin Resistance Pathophysiology and Physiologic Insulin Resensitization’s Role as a Treatment Modality.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 24, no. 13, June 2023, p. 10927. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241310927.

8. Menale, Ciro, et al. Adverse Effects of Bisphenol A Exposure on Glucose Metabolism Regulation. openbiotechnologyjournal.com, https://doi.org/10.2174/1874070701610010122. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.

9. Kaaks, R., and A. Lukanova. “Energy Balance and Cancer: The Role of Insulin and Insulin-like Growth Factor-I.” Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, vol. 60, no. 1, Feb. 2001, pp. 91–106. Cambridge University Press, https://doi.org/10.1079/PNS200070.

10. Kumari, Rashmi, and Devinder Mohan Thappa. “Role of Insulin Resistance and Diet in Acne.” Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, vol. 79, May 2013, p. 291. ijdvl.com, https://doi.org/10.4103/0378-6323.110753.