Association between Blood Heavy Metal Concentrations and Metabolic Syndrome Related Biomarkers among Reproductive Age Women of Korea

摘要

Metals have been reported for possible associations with metabolic symptoms, but existing information remains contradictory. In the present study, the association between metal exposure and the metabolic symptom related biomarkers among reproductive age women was investigated. The participating women (n=516, aged 20s to 40s) were recruited from major cities throughout Korea between 2015 and 2016, and measured for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) in blood samples. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) related biomarkers such as adiponectin, leptin, glucose, insulin, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) were also analyzed in serum. The participants were instructed to fast at least 9 hours before the blood sampling. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between blood heavy metal concentrations and the MetS related biomarkers. Blood Pb and Hg concentrations in quartiles were positively associated with homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), which was defined as exceeding the 75 percentile of HOMA-IR, after adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption status, and smoking. These observations suggest that exposure to Pb and Hg may be associated with MetS among reproductive age women. Further studies for confirming this association in other populations are warranted.