Association Between Serum Trace Heavy Metals and Liver Function Among Adolescents

J Occup Environ Med. 2023 Mar 1;65(3):e155-e160. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002778.

Abstract

Background: Exposure to metals has been associated with liver-related disease. Few studies have explored the effect of sex stratification on adolescent liver function.

Method: From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2016), 1143 subjects aged 12-19 years were selected for analysis. The outcome variables were the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase.

Results: The results showed a positive association between serum zinc and ALT in boys (odds ratio [OR], 2.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-5.06). Serum mercury was associated with an increase in ALT level in girls (OR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.14-6.57). Mechanistically, the efficacy mediated by total cholesterol accounted for 24.38% and 6.19% of the association between serum zinc and ALT.

Conclusions: The results imply that serum heavy metals were associated with the risk of liver injury, possibly mediated by serum cholesterol, in adolescents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cholesterol
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver / physiology
  • Male
  • Mercury
  • Metals, Heavy* / blood
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Trace Elements* / blood
  • Zinc

Substances

  • Cholesterol
  • Mercury
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Trace Elements
  • Zinc