Blood Concentrations of Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury Are Associated With Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

An association between environmental pollutants and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) has not been determined until now. The objectives of this study were to examine the association of the pollutants with ALD, and whether the pollutants together increased the risk of ALD.

Data were extracted from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2013 and 2016-2017; n = 11,993). Blood levels of lead, cadmium, and mercury were measured. ALD was defined by a combination of excessive alcohol consumption and ALD/non-alcoholic fatty liver disease index > 0. The aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index and fibrosis (FIB)-4 score were used to evaluate ALD FIB.

The odds ratios (ORs) of ALD for the highest versus the lowest quartiles of exposure were for lead, 7.39 (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.51-9.91); cadmium, 1.68 (95% CI, 1.32-2.14); and mercury, 5.03 (95% CI, 3.88-6.53). Adjusting for age, gender, smoking, occupation, education, and personal income attenuated the associations but indicated significant positive trends (all P < 0.001). A positive additive interaction between cadmium and lead was observed. The relative excess OR due to the interaction was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.41-1.51); synergy index = 2.92 (95% CI, 0.97-8.80). Among 951 subjects with ALD, advanced FIB was associated with lead and cadmium (OR, 3.46, 95% CI, 1.84-6.53; OR, 8.50, 95% CI, 2.54-28.42, respectively), but not with mercury. The effect estimates for lead and cadmium remained significant even after adjustment for daily alcohol intake.

Blood levels of lead, cadmium, and mercury were significantly associated not only with the risk of ALD but also with ALD FIB. Cadmium and lead have synergistic effects that increase the risk of ALD.