Association of Blood Total Mercury with Dyslipidemia in a sample of U.S. Adolescents: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Database, 2011–2018

Background: Abnormal lipid profiles in adolescents predict metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. While seafood consumption is the primary source of mercury exposure, it also provides beneficial nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA). Prior studies indicate that blood total mercur...

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Main Authors: Chibuzor Abasilim, Victoria Persky, Mary E. Turyk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-06-01
Series:Hygiene and Environmental Health Advances
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277304922300003X
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author Chibuzor Abasilim
Victoria Persky
Mary E. Turyk
author_facet Chibuzor Abasilim
Victoria Persky
Mary E. Turyk
author_sort Chibuzor Abasilim
collection DOAJ
description Background: Abnormal lipid profiles in adolescents predict metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. While seafood consumption is the primary source of mercury exposure, it also provides beneficial nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA). Prior studies indicate that blood total mercury (TBHg) has endocrine disrupting effects and may be associated with abnormal lipid profiles in adolescents. However, the impact of beneficial nutrients on this relationship has not been examined. Our study investigated the relationship of TBHg with dyslipidemia and lipid profiles and potential confounding and modification of these relationships by sex, body mass index (BMI), selenium and O3FA from seafood consumption. Methods: We examined 1,390 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants 12-19 years of age from the 2011-2018 cycles. Using logistic and linear regression adjusted for survey design variables and stratified by sex a priori, we estimated the associations of TBHg and methylmercury with dyslipidemia, and with total cholesterol (TC), high (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides. Results: The geometric mean of TBHg in this adolescent population was 0.44 µg/L. After controlling for sociodemographic covariates, BMI, serum selenium, age at menarche (females only) and average daily intake of O3FA; TBHg was significantly associated with higher TC levels (β=3.34, 95% CI: 0.19, 6.50; p<0.05) in females but not males. Methyl Hg was also associated with increased TC, as well as decreased HDL-C in females but not males. We did not find significant associations of Hg exposure with dyslipidemia, LDL-C or triglycerides levels in either male or female adolescents. However, we observed evidence of effect modification by BMI and serum selenium for associations of TBHg with TC levels in male and female adolescents, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings of elevated TC levels in females but not males necessitates further research to better understand the underlying mechanisms driving these sex-specific associations.
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spelling doaj.art-00d6140006104c64b99286987d96ee912023-08-05T05:18:25ZengElsevierHygiene and Environmental Health Advances2773-04922023-06-016100047Association of Blood Total Mercury with Dyslipidemia in a sample of U.S. Adolescents: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Database, 2011–2018Chibuzor Abasilim0Victoria Persky1Mary E. Turyk2Corresponding author: Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, 1603 W Taylor, Chicago, IL 60612; Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, ILDivision of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, ILDivision of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, ILBackground: Abnormal lipid profiles in adolescents predict metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. While seafood consumption is the primary source of mercury exposure, it also provides beneficial nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA). Prior studies indicate that blood total mercury (TBHg) has endocrine disrupting effects and may be associated with abnormal lipid profiles in adolescents. However, the impact of beneficial nutrients on this relationship has not been examined. Our study investigated the relationship of TBHg with dyslipidemia and lipid profiles and potential confounding and modification of these relationships by sex, body mass index (BMI), selenium and O3FA from seafood consumption. Methods: We examined 1,390 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants 12-19 years of age from the 2011-2018 cycles. Using logistic and linear regression adjusted for survey design variables and stratified by sex a priori, we estimated the associations of TBHg and methylmercury with dyslipidemia, and with total cholesterol (TC), high (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides. Results: The geometric mean of TBHg in this adolescent population was 0.44 µg/L. After controlling for sociodemographic covariates, BMI, serum selenium, age at menarche (females only) and average daily intake of O3FA; TBHg was significantly associated with higher TC levels (β=3.34, 95% CI: 0.19, 6.50; p<0.05) in females but not males. Methyl Hg was also associated with increased TC, as well as decreased HDL-C in females but not males. We did not find significant associations of Hg exposure with dyslipidemia, LDL-C or triglycerides levels in either male or female adolescents. However, we observed evidence of effect modification by BMI and serum selenium for associations of TBHg with TC levels in male and female adolescents, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings of elevated TC levels in females but not males necessitates further research to better understand the underlying mechanisms driving these sex-specific associations.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277304922300003XMetalsNHANESMercuryDyslipidemiaAdolescentsBody mass index
spellingShingle Chibuzor Abasilim
Victoria Persky
Mary E. Turyk
Association of Blood Total Mercury with Dyslipidemia in a sample of U.S. Adolescents: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Database, 2011–2018
Hygiene and Environmental Health Advances
Metals
NHANES
Mercury
Dyslipidemia
Adolescents
Body mass index
title Association of Blood Total Mercury with Dyslipidemia in a sample of U.S. Adolescents: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Database, 2011–2018
title_full Association of Blood Total Mercury with Dyslipidemia in a sample of U.S. Adolescents: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Database, 2011–2018
title_fullStr Association of Blood Total Mercury with Dyslipidemia in a sample of U.S. Adolescents: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Database, 2011–2018
title_full_unstemmed Association of Blood Total Mercury with Dyslipidemia in a sample of U.S. Adolescents: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Database, 2011–2018
title_short Association of Blood Total Mercury with Dyslipidemia in a sample of U.S. Adolescents: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Database, 2011–2018
title_sort association of blood total mercury with dyslipidemia in a sample of u s adolescents results from the national health and nutrition examination survey database 2011 2018
topic Metals
NHANES
Mercury
Dyslipidemia
Adolescents
Body mass index
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277304922300003X
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