Fatty liver and hepatic function for residents with markedly high serum PCDD/Fs levels in Taiwan

This study was designed to examine the associations between serum polychtorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) levels and adverse hepatic-related health outcomes. Residents living in the vicinity of a closed pentachlorophenol (PCP) manufacturing factory (exposure area) and other areas nearby (control area) were identified from prior investigation of serum PCDD/Fs measurements. A total of 85 subjects were recruited for the study, 52 from exposure area and 33 from control, respectively. Average level of serum PCDD/Fs was 80.1 6 50.9 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid for those residing in exposure area, and 25.5 6 18.2 in control area. Statistically higher odds ratio (ORs) for fatty liver and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity was found in subjects with higher serum PCDD/Fs levels and high body mass index (BMI) as compared to those with lower PCDD/Fs levels and less BMI. Data suggest that dioxin exposure and high lipid content affect the prevalence of fatty liver in exposed subjects. Future study should be directed to prevent continuous exposure to environmental PCDD/Fs from the defunct PCP factory, and to characterize prospectively, with a larger study sample size, the potential long-term consequences on hepatic function associated with contaminant exposure.