Heavy Metal Exposures, C-Reactive Protein, and Dietary Inflammatory Index: NHANES 2007-2010
Description
PURPOSE: This study utilized data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2010 to investigate the relationship between heavy metal exposures (lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg)), dietary inflammatory index (DII), and C-reactive protein (CRP) as a biomarker for inflammation. SUBJECTS: The study comprised a nationally representative sample of n = 7,407 adults age 20+, excluding pregnant women and participants with CRP values ≥10 mg/dL. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Data was utilized from continuous NHANES cycles 2007 to 2008 and 2009 to 2010, harmonized according to procedures outlined by the NCHS. ANALYSES: Survey-weighted, covariate-adjusted linear regression models were produced to assess the relationship between heavy metal exposures, DII, and natural log-transformed CRP. RESULTS: We found significant positive association between heavy metals and CRP only in specific subgroups of the population after additionally adjusting for age, annual household income, and history of inflammatory disease. Pb was only significantly positively associated with CRP in individuals of normal weight, and Cd was only significantly positively associated with CRP in non-Hispanic white males (p < 0.05). Hg was not significantly positively associated with CRP in any subgroup; however, the effect of Hg on CRP was found to be dependent on DII, with higher DII levels associated with increasing positivity of the association between Hg and CRP (never achieving statistical significance). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study highlight the complexity of the relationships between heavy metal exposures, diet, and inflammatory processes, and underscore the need for further research to elucidate the mechanisms behind these relationships.
Heavy Metal Exposures, C-Reactive Protein, and Dietary Inflammatory Index: NHANES 2007-2010
PURPOSE: This study utilized data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2010 to investigate the relationship between heavy metal exposures (lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg)), dietary inflammatory index (DII), and C-reactive protein (CRP) as a biomarker for inflammation. SUBJECTS: The study comprised a nationally representative sample of n = 7,407 adults age 20+, excluding pregnant women and participants with CRP values ≥10 mg/dL. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Data was utilized from continuous NHANES cycles 2007 to 2008 and 2009 to 2010, harmonized according to procedures outlined by the NCHS. ANALYSES: Survey-weighted, covariate-adjusted linear regression models were produced to assess the relationship between heavy metal exposures, DII, and natural log-transformed CRP. RESULTS: We found significant positive association between heavy metals and CRP only in specific subgroups of the population after additionally adjusting for age, annual household income, and history of inflammatory disease. Pb was only significantly positively associated with CRP in individuals of normal weight, and Cd was only significantly positively associated with CRP in non-Hispanic white males (p < 0.05). Hg was not significantly positively associated with CRP in any subgroup; however, the effect of Hg on CRP was found to be dependent on DII, with higher DII levels associated with increasing positivity of the association between Hg and CRP (never achieving statistical significance). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study highlight the complexity of the relationships between heavy metal exposures, diet, and inflammatory processes, and underscore the need for further research to elucidate the mechanisms behind these relationships.