Abstract
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a complex disease that arises from interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The activation of transposable elements (TEs) and the production of circular extrachromosomal DNA (eccDNA) may represent genetic mechanisms involved in cellular aging, metabolic alterations, and T2D development through distinct pathways. Although the origin and characteristics of TEs and eccDNA differ substantially, eccDNA can in some cases be derived from TEs. This review summarizes the current understanding of these mechanisms and examines the reported associations between T2D and either TEs or eccDNAs. These findings highlight the significant involvement of these molecules in disease pathogenesis, particularly in relation to aging, and underscore their great potential as biomarkers and targets for T2D prevention.