Associations Between Metal Levels in Whole Blood and IgE Concentrations in Pregnant Women Based on Data From the Japan Environment and Children’s Study

Abstract

BackgroundMetal exposures could possibly affect allergic responses in pregnant women, although no studies have yet shown a clear relationship between the two, and such exposures might also affect the development of allergic diseases in children.MethodsWe investigated the relationship between metal concentrations in whole blood and immunoglobulin E (IgE; total and specific) in 14,408 pregnant women who participated in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study. The subjects submitted self-administered questionnaires, and blood samples were collected from them twice, specifically, during the first trimester and again during the second/third trimester. Concentrations of the metals Cd, Pb, Hg, Se, and Mn, as well as serum total and allergen-specific IgEs for egg white, house dust-mites (HDM), Japanese cedar pollen (JCP), animal dander, and moth, were measured. Allergen-specific IgE(s) were divided based on concentrations <0.35 or ≥0.35 UA/mL, and the metal levels were divided into quartiles.ResultsMultivariable logistic regression analysis showed that there was a significant negative correlation between HDM- and animal dander-specific IgEs and Hg and Mn concentrations. Conversely, there was a significant positive relationship between JCP-specific IgE and Hg and Se concentrations.ConclusionsMetal exposures may be related to both increases and decreases in allergen-specific IgEs in pregnant women.

Association Between Prenatal Exposure to Metals and Atopic Dermatitis Among Children Aged 4 Years in Taiwan

“… 11 Findings from studies of the general population have also suggested that allergic sensitization may be associated with increases in disease susceptibility. 12 , 13 Fetal and early postnatal exposures to arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and chromium may be important factors associated with immunotoxic effects. 14 , 15 Because exposure to chemicals in the environment is complex and part of the exposome associated with health and disease, 16 this birth cohort study aimed to investigate the association between prenatal exposure to multiple metals and the risk of atopic dermatitis in young children.…”

“…The mechanism of disease may involve activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and the NFE2L2 gene . Findings from studies of the general population have also suggested that allergic sensitization may be associated with increases in disease susceptibility . Fetal and early postnatal exposures to arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and chromium may be important factors associated with immunotoxic effects .…”

role of metals exposure in allergic diseases in workers who work in iron factories

“…Asthma patients who are allergic to ticks. In general, a positive correlation was observed between the strength of the skin response and higher serum IgE levels (36). Allergens are environmental antigens that can stimulate the production of certain IgE antibodies.…”