A cross-sectional study of the association between blood metal mixtures exposure and hyperuricemia

To determine the association between blood metal mixture and HUA risk.

A cross-sectional study was performed based on the populations from Kailuan cohort trial in China. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was utilized to detect the blood concentrations of iron (Fe), lead (Pb), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and manganese (Mn). Multivariate logistic regression (MLR) models and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models were employed to assess the relationships.

There were 3706 participants included in this study, and 464 (12.52%) were with HUA. The mean level of uric acid was 485.60 μmol/L in the subjects with HUA, which was remarkably increased compared to those without HUA (293.10 μmol/L). The multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of HUA were 2.15 (1.40, 3.29) for Pb, 3.42 (2.24, 5.23) for Fe, 1.61 (1.15, 2.25) for Ca, 3.06 (2.04, 4.59) for Mg, and 1.69 (1.26, 2.28) for Zn by comparing the highest and lowest metal quartiles using the single-metal logistic regression model. Meanwhile, the WQS regression models demonstrated a positive association between metal mixtures and HUA risk, to which, Fe, Mg, Pb, and Zn were the major contributors. Pb, Fe, and Zn were still robust in multiple-metal models. Age, gender, weight, smoking, and drinking status could modify these relationships with significant interactions.

Co-exposure to Fe, Pb, Ca, Cu, Zn, Mg, Se, and Mn were related to increased HUA risk in Chinese adults, of with, Pb, Fe, and Zn appeared to have greater impacts. These relationships were more obvious in adults aged < 60 years, or women, or overweight, or non-smoking, or drinking with significant interactions. Key Points • Increased Fe, Pb, Mg, Ca, and Zn were related to increased HUA risk in dose-response fashion among Chinese adults. • The metal mixture dominated by Fe, Mg, Pb, and Zn was positively associated with HUA risk. Fe, Pb, and Zn were still robust in MM model. • Such association was stronger showed in adults aged < 60 years, or women, or overweight, or non-smoking, or drinking with significant interactions.