#AI reads Urine# A mixture analysis of urinary microplastic levels and risk of gestational diabetes
Published 05 February, 2026
This study focuses on the association between microplastic exposure and the risk of gestational diabetes, with the core points summarized as follows: Background: Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a pressing global environmental and public health issue, with potential to disrupt metabolic processes. Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to environmental toxicants due to physiological changes during gestation; however, no prior studies have directly explored the link between internal MP exposure and glucose metabolism during pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2022 and March 2023, enrolling 3,775 pregnant women at 24-28 weeks of gestation. Morning urine samples were collected to detect the concentrations of four microplastic particles: polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene (PE). Glycemic status was assessed using fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 1-hour oral glucose tolerance test (1 h-OGTT), and 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (2 h-OGTT) levels. Multiple models including multivariable linear regression, Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR), g-computation (g-comp), and quantile-based weighted quantile sum (qWQS) regression were applied to analyze associations and mixture effects, with adjustment for relevant covariates. Results: In adjusted linear regression models, higher urinary PA and PP concentrations were significantly associated with elevated FPG and 1 h-OGTT levels (p<0.05). G-computation revealed that a one-quartile increase in the MP mixture was associated with significant rises in all glycemic markers. qWQS regression confirmed a positive mixture effect, with PA contributing the most weight to the index. BKMR analysis demonstrated non-linear exposure-response relationships between urinary MP exposure and glycemic indicators: higher overall urinary MP concentrations were associated with progressive elevations in FPG and 2 h-OGTT levels, with statistically significant increases observed in the upper exposure quartiles. Associations with 1 h-OGTT were less consistent, showing a slight increase at higher exposure levels but with wider confidence intervals. Among individual MP polymers, PVC showed a potential positive association at high concentrations, while other polymers exhibited modest or inconsistent effects. Conclusion: This study provides novel evidence linking urinary microplastic exposure to impaired glucose regulation during pregnancy.
Environ Int. 2025 Nov 13:207:109928. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109928.
Youhe Gao
Statement: During the preparation of this work the author(s) used Doubao / AI reading for summarizing the content. After using this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the published article.
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