Association of Type 2 Diabetes with Submicron Titanium Dioxide Crystals in the Pancreas

Abstract

Pigment-grade titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) of 200-300 nm particle diameter is the most widely used submicron-sized particle material. Inhaled and ingested TiO 2 particles enter the bloodstream, are phagocytized by macrophages and neutrophils, are inflammatory, and activate the NLRP3 inflammasome. In this pilot study of 11 pancreatic specimens, 8 of the type 2 diabetic pancreas and 3 of the nondiabetic pancreas, we show that particles comprising 110 ± 70 nm average diameter TiO 2 monocrystals abound in the type 2 diabetic pancreas, but not in the nondiabetic pancreas. In the type 2 diabetic pancreas, the count of the crystals is as high as 10 8 -10 9 per gram.