The workers exposed to metal fumes had an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, which was correlated with decreased serum adiponectin. Thus, we aimed to explore whether heavy metal exposure affects the adiponectin level. There were 96 male workers recruited from a shipyard at baseline. Apart from 82 participants completed the follow-up assessments, new participants were recruited in next year. Finally, there were 100 welding workers in the exposure group and 31 office workers in the control group. Inferential statistics on repeated measures were performed using generalized estimating equations. A weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression model was conducted to examine the joint effect of the multimetal exposure with serum adiponectin. Significantly negative associations of metals with adiponectin were detected in the welding workers, including Cr (β = −0.088; 95% CI: −0.148, −0.027), Mn (β = −0.174; 95% CI: −0.267, −0.081), Co (β = −0.094; 95% CI: −0.158, −0.029), Ni (β = −0.108; 95% CI: −0.208, −0.008), Cd (β = −0.067; 95% CI: −0.115, −0.018), and Pb (β = −0.089; 95% CI: −0.163, −0.015). The WQS regression suggested that Pb was the greatest contributor. In conclusion, our findings highlighted that welding workers exposed to heavy metals would reduce serum adiponectin.
Background: The influence of welding-associated air pollutants on workers’ health is mainly regarded as a core issue in public health and occupational medicine. Previous studies have indicated that workers exposed to metal fumes had an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, which was correlated with decreased serum adiponectin levels. This study aimed to explore whether heavy metal exposure affects the concentration of adiponectin among welding workers. Methods: The study participants were recruited from a shipyard with 31 office workers and 100 welding workers in 2015. Urinary metal concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Serum adiponectin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Inferential statistics on repeated measures were performed using generalized estimating equations (GEEs). A weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression model was conducted to examine the joint effect of the association of multimetal exposure with serum adiponectin. Results: After adjustment for all confounding variables through a GEE analysis, significantly negative associations of numerous urinary metals with serum adiponectin were detected in the welding workers, including Cr (β = -0.088; 95% CI: -0.148, -0.027), Mn (β = -0.174; 95% CI: -0.267, -0.081), Co (β = -0.094; 95% CI: -0.158, -0.029), Ni (β = -0.108; 95% CI: -0.208, -0.008), Cd (β = -0.067; 95% CI: -0.115, -0.018), and Pb (β = -0.089; 95% CI: -0.163, -0.015). The contributions of multiple urinary metal levels to serum adiponectin levels, determined individually by WQS regression, suggested that Pb was the greatest contributor. Conclusions: Welding workers exposed to heavy metals such as Pb, Cr, Co, Mn, Ni, and Cd might have reduced serum adiponectin levels and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
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