Associations and Interactions between Heavy Metals with White Blood Cell and Eosinophil Count

Abstract

The accumulation of heavy metals in the body has been associated with an elevated immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations among heavy metals and white blood cell (WBC) and eosinophil count in the general population in southern Taiwan. We also explored the interactions and synergetic effects of heavy metals on WBC and eosinophil count. We conducted a health survey in the general population living in southern Taiwan between June 2016 and September 2018. Seven heavy metals were measured: blood lead (Pb), and urine cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel, arsenic (As), chromium and manganese (Mn). A total of 2,447 participants were enrolled. In multivariable analysis, high concentrations of Pb (log per 1 mg/L; coefficient β, 0.332; p = 0.005) and Cu (log per 1 µg/dL; coefficient β, 0.476; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with a high WBC count. In addition, high concentrations of Pb (log per 1 mg/L; coefficient β, 0.732; p < 0.001), As (log per 1 µg/L; coefficient β, 0.133; p = 0.015), Cu (log per 1 µg/dL; coefficient β, 0.181; p = 0.018), and Cd (log per 1 µg/L; coefficient β, 0.139; p = 0.002) were significantly associated with a high eosinophil count. Further, the effect of interactions between Pb and As (coefficient β, 0.721; p = 0.029) and Mn and Cu (coefficient β, 0.482; p = 0.018) on WBC count, and As and Cu (unstandardized coefficient β, 0.558; p = 0.002) on eosinophil count were statistically significant. In conclusion, the heavy metals Pb, As, Cu, and Cd were associated with WBC and eosinophil count. In addition, synergistic effects of heavy metal poisoning on the association with WBC and eosinophil count were also observed.

Association between Exposure to Selected Heavy Metals and Blood Eosinophil Counts in Asthmatic Adults: Results from NHANES 2011–2018

“…An epidemiological study in the USA reported that Ellen M. Wells et al observed a significant association of lead with increased eosinophils among non-Hispanic Whites with asthma after control confounding factors [ 52 ]. Additionally, another cross-sectional study involving 2447 participants also observed a positive association between blood Pb concentrations and blood eosinophil counts [ 34 ]. However, this cross-sectional study did not conduct stratified analyses in different populations to verify the stability and reliability of this association.…”

“…Cd exposure can occur through contaminated water, contaminated food, smoking, and occupational settings [ 53 , 54 ]. In an epidemiological study, Chao-Hsin Huang et al reported that a high concentration of Cd was associated with a high eosinophil count [ 34 ]. Hg is a ubiquitous heavy metal, which is a growing public concern owing to its wide distribution and serious adverse health impacts.…”

“…In addition, some studies still demonstrated the correlation between common heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd, etc.) and blood eosinophil counts [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]. For example, previous studies have demonstrated that Pb exposure was implicated in alterations in humoral and cell-mediated immunity and the development of allergic conditions, including the production of serum IgE, eosinophil migration and proliferation, activation of Th2 cytokines, as well as an abnormality of bronchial responsiveness [ 37 , 38 ].…”

“…Additionally, a Korean study found Hg was not associated with blood eosinophil counts in 311 Korean children but was associated with increased blood lymphocyte counts [ 41 ]. Chao-Hsin Huang et al conducted a study in which urine Mn was not associated with blood eosinophil counts among 2447 adults [ 34 ]. A small study involving 25 adult asthmatic patients and healthy subjects found that the asthma group had lower serum Se concentrations and higher indicators of oxidative stress [ 42 ].…”

Assessment of pollutants emitted by automobile exhaust on some physiological variables of the exposed people in the city of Kirkuk

“…as the immune system is activated in the body with defense mechanism (Sharma, Panwar, & Mogra, 2012). Huang et al (2022)showed the association of heavy metal accumulations in the body with a rise in the immune response by measuring some metals, including lead, in the blood, where a significant increase in the number of WBCs was observed. In addition, lead poisoning causes peripheral and central nervous disorders, encephalopathy and poor coordination.…”