Association Between Nickel Exposure and Metabolic Syndrome: Data from NHANES 2017-2018

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Metabolic Disorders
• Toxicology

Background:

• Conflicting previous studies suggest a link between nickel and metabolic syndrome (MetS).
• Lack of research on nickel exposure and MetS prevalence in the general U.S. population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between urinary nickel levels and the prevalence of MetS in U.S. adults.
• To identify specific components of MetS linked to nickel exposure.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with 1577 participants.
• Employed logarithmic transformation for skewed urinary nickel data, followed by weighted multivariate logistic models, restricted cubic splines, and threshold effect analysis.
• Conducted subgroup analyses to identify susceptible populations.

Main Results:

• An inverted "L"-shaped nonlinear dose-response relationship was observed between urinary nickel and MetS risk, with an inflection point at 0.2141 ng/L.
• Increased odds of MetS were found in the second (OR=1.42), third (OR=2.00), and fourth (OR=1.68) quartiles of urinary nickel.
• Significant associations were noted with high fasting glucose, reduced HDL, and abdominal obesity, but not hyperlipidemia.

Conclusions:

• Environmental nickel exposure is associated with an increased prevalence of MetS in U.S. adults.
• Males over 40, individuals with less education, and smokers are more vulnerable to nickel's adverse effects on metabolic health.
• Nickel exposure impacts multiple MetS components, highlighting its role in metabolic dysfunction.