Association Between Combined Polymetallic Exposure and Osteoporosis

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Toxicology
• Bone Metabolism

Background:

• Osteoporosis is a significant public health concern, characterized by low bone mass and increased fracture risk.
• Polymetallic exposure is increasingly recognized as a potential environmental factor influencing various health outcomes, including bone health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between combined exposure to multiple metals in plasma and the risk of osteoporosis.
• To identify specific metals that are significantly correlated with osteoporosis in a general population sample.

Main Methods:

• Plasma concentrations of 22 metals were measured in 2115 participants using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
• Osteoporosis was diagnosed based on a T-score ≤ -2.5.
• Statistical analyses included Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression, binary logistic regression, and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) to model metal-osteoporosis associations.

Main Results:

• LASSO regression identified 10 metals associated with osteoporosis in the total population and women, and four in men.
• Logistic regression indicated that higher magnesium levels were negatively correlated with osteoporosis, while higher aluminum and cadmium levels were positively correlated in the total population and women.
• BKMR model confirmed an overall positive effect of combined polymetallic exposure on osteoporosis, with magnesium showing a protective effect and cadmium, selenium, and aluminum associated with increased risk.

Conclusions:

• Plasma metal mixtures are associated with osteoporosis risk.
• Magnesium may play a protective role against osteoporosis.
• Exposure to cadmium, selenium, and aluminum may increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, warranting further investigation into their mechanisms.