Environmental pollutants and diabetic kidney disease (DKD)

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common microvascular complication of diabetes. The etiology of DKD includes genetic and environmental factors. Genetics alone do not explain the high prevalence of DKD, therefore, modifiable environmental risk factors need to be identified. Many studies suggested that environmental pollutants such as persistent organic pollutants, bisphenal A and PM2.5 play important roles in DKD development and progression. In this review, the relationships between these environmental pollutants and DKD will be discussed. Furthermore, effects of pollutants on DKD risk factors will be reviewed, including glucose metabolism, blood pressure and body weight.