Association between Heavy Metal Exposure and Dyslipidemia among Korean Adults: From the Korean National Environmental Health Survey, 2015–2017

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in Korea. Dyslipidemia, characterized by the presence of abnormal lipid levels, has been suggested as an early diagnostic and preventable factor for CVD. Recent studies have shown that exposure to lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) affects lipid metabolism. This study aimed to verify the association between heavy metal concentrations and serum lipid profiles in the general population. A representative sample of 2591 Korean adults from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2015–2017) was analyzed. The associations between heavy metals [Blood Pb (BPb), blood Hg (BHg), urinary Hg (UHg), urinary Cd (UCd)] and serum lipid profiles [total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-low level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Non-HDL-C)] were assessed using regression analysis. After adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors, the proportional changes in serum lipid levels were significantly associated with increases in BPb, BHg, and UHg levels (p for trend < 0.05). Overall, BPb, BHg, and Uhg levels positively correlated with dyslipidemia, whereas UCd levels did not show a significant association. Our results suggest that heavy metal exposure, at low levels, may contribute to an increased prevalence of dyslipidemia in Korean adults.

Association of Urinary Lead and Cadmium Levels, and Serum Lipids with Subclinical Arteriosclerosis: Evidence from Taiwan

“…Additionally, 2591 Korean adults were included to analyze the associations between heavy metals (blood lead, urinary cadmium) and serum lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, non-HDL-C). Higher concentrations of blood lead were found in the dyslipidemia group of total cholesterol, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and triglycerides, whereas higher urine cadmium levels were found in the dyslipidemia group of LDL-C and non-HDL-C [ 22 ]. In the current study, we showed that both urine lead and cadmium concentrations were positively associated with lipid profiles.…”

“…However, the lipid markers used in these studies are limited to traditional lipid biomarkers, such as total cholesterol, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and triglyceride. These studies all show a consistent, positive association between lead and lipid profiles, whereas the relationship between cadmium and lipids is inconsistent among studies [ 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Additionally, only one previous report investigated the synergistic effect of lead and cadmium on lipids and did not find any additive effect [ 20 ].…”

Association of cerebral spinal fluid copper imbalance in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

“…Previous epidemiology studies have linked heavy metal exposure to dyslipidemia. In particular, mercuy, lead, arsenic, copper, nickel, and cadmium were reported to be positively associated with serum triglyceride levels ( Buhari et al, 2020 ; Ma et al, 2020 ; Kim et al, 2022 ). In animal studies, cadmium has been evidenced to enhance triglyceride accumulation through reduction of lipoprotein lipase activity ( Barañski et al, 1983 ).…”

Environmental Impacts on Cardiovascular Health and Biology: An Overview

“…99 For example, blood lead and mercury concentrations have been associated with increases in blood lipids. 100 Cadmium concentrations in serum are positively correlated with serum triglycerides and total cholesterol; white blood cells, and C-reactive protein, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. 101 Heavy metal exposure has also been linked with increased blood pressure, 102 coronary artery disease, stroke, 103 and peripheral artery disease 104 even at concentrations below safety standards.…”