Association between combined exposure to plasma heavy metals and dyslipidemia in a chinese population

Background: Exposure to heavy metals in the environment is widespread, while the relationship between combined exposure to heavy metals and dyslipidemia is unclear. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed, and 3544 participants aged 30 years or older were included in the analyses. Heavy metal concentrations in plasma were based on inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The relationship between heavy metals and dyslipidemia was estimated by logistic regression. BKMR was used to evaluate metal mixtures and their potential interactions. Results: In logistic regression analysis, participants in the fourth quartile of Fe and Zn (Fe > 1352.38 mu g/L; Zn > 4401.42 mu g/L) had a relatively higher risk of dyslipidemia (Fe, OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.92,1.38; Zn, OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.03,1.64). After sex stratification, females in the third quartile of plasma Zn (1062.05-4401.42 mu g/L) had a higher relative risk of dyslipidemia (OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.28, 2.38). In BKMR analysis, metal mixtures were negatively associated with dyslipidemia in females when all metal concentrations were above the 50th percentile. In the total population (estimated from 0.030 to 0.031), As was positively associated with dyslipidemia when other metals were controlled at the 25th, 50th, or 75th percentile, respectively, and As was below the 75th percentile. In females (estimated from - 0.037 to -0.031), Zn was negatively associated with dyslipidemia when it was above the 50th percentile. Conclusion: This study indicated that As was positively associated with dyslipidemia and that Zn may be negatively associated with dyslipidemia in females. Combined metal exposure was negatively associated with dyslipidemia in females. Females with low plasma Zn levels are more likely to develop dyslipidemia and should receive more clinical attention in this population.