The association between mercury concentrations and lipid profiles in the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3

Abstract

Background: High concentrations of mercury intake from seafood are known to cause various side effects in humans, including on the nervous system. Various studies have reported the effects of mercury concentrations in humans; however, the association between dyslipidemia, a cardiovascular disease risk factor, and mercury remains controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between mercury accumulation and cholesterol concentrations in a Korean population. Methods: We analyzed data of a sample of 3,228 respondents obtained from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey cycle 3, surveyed between 2015 and 2017, to determine how lipid profiles changed according to the blood mercury concentrations (BHg) and urine mercury concentrations (UHg). Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the effects of mercury concentrations among various factors affecting blood cholesterol levels. Results: The arithmetic mean (AM) of BHg was 2.91 (2.81-3.02) μg/L, and the geometric mean (GM) was 2.71 (2.59-2.85) μg/L. The AM of UHg was 0.52 (0.48-0.56) μg/L, and the GM was 0.35 (0.33-0.38) μg/L. Lipid profiles were more related to the BHg than to the UHg. Total cholesterol (total-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels increased significantly as BHg increased in males, and total-C, triglyceride, and LDL-C levels increased significantly in females. Multiple regression analysis indicated that BHg were significantly associated with total-C, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels. Conclusions: We found an association between mercury exposure and the risk of dyslipidemia; however, further studies are required to elucidate a causal association.

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

“…Furthermore, a study using the KoNEHS observed that BHg concentrations are significantly higher in the hyperlipidemia group (4.03 and 2.83 μg/L for male and female) than that in the non-hyperlipidemia group (3.48 and 2.69 μg/L of male and female), and individuals with higher BHg concentrations have a 11% higher risk of hyperlipidemia [ 50 ]. Significant increases in TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels are reported with increasing BHg concentrations in Korean adults, based on the KoNEHS [ 40 , 51 ].…”

“…LDL-C was calculated as TC−HDL(C)−[TG/5] using Friedewald’s formula [ 38 ]. Owing to a limitation of the formula, TG values greater than 400 mg/dL were treated as missing values [ 39 , 40 ]. This is because TG levels above 400 mg/dL may be underestimated, owing to a decrease in the TC:TG ratio of very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) [ 38 ].…”

Association of Blood Mercury Level with Liver Enzymes in Korean Adults: An Analysis of 2015–2017 Korean National Environmental Health Survey

“…Blood liver enzyme levels were measured in the KoNEHS by analyzing the serum concentrations of ALT and AST at a wavelength of 340 nm using a colorimetry (Colorimetry, Modified IFCC UV method, ADVIA 1800, Siemens, Munich, Germany) [ 31 ]. Abnormal cut-off points were defined as 35.0 IU/L or more for ALT and 40.0 IU/L or more for AST.…”

Misuse of Cardiac Lipid upon Exposure to Toxic Trace Elements—A Focused Review

“…The exposure of 57 workers to As showed that there is an increased level of the lipoprotein (a) (LP(a)), a ratio of apolipoprotein-B (Apo-B)/apolipoprotein-A1 (Apo-A1) and Apo-B level and a decreased level of Apo-A1, indicative of high-risk of heart diseases [ 36 ]. The exposure to Hg workers that experienced from Korean National Environmental Health Survey cycle 3 in 3228 samples indicated an increase in TC, TG, LDL, and VLDL [ 37 ]. Exposure to Pb of battery workers in Lucknow city (India) saw increased TC/HDL-C and LDL/HDL ratios [ 38 ].…”