Relationship Between Whole Blood Iron Levels and Lipid Profile Parameters in the General Population: Findings from...

Dyslipidemia is related to the occurrence and development of many diseases and is a common problem among the general population. A significant link has been identified between dyslipidemia and ferroptosis. Lipid profile parameters are important indicators of dyslipidemia. Iron is the main cause of ferroptosis. However, the relationship between blood lipid parameters and whole blood iron levels has remained unclear. Based on a community population, the study aimed to explore the relationship between whole blood iron levels and blood lipids in Taizhou, China. The blood samples were collected from 1917 community residents, and levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and whole blood iron were measured. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between whole blood iron levels and lipids profile parameters. The results of the study showed that for both men and women, whole blood iron concentration was positively correlated with total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.001), but not with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.618, P = 0.083). The positive correlation between whole blood iron and triglycerides was the most significant (P < 0.001, r = 0.138). The above trends were more pronounced among men than among women. Therefore, the study suggested that regulating whole blood iron levels of populations in Taizhou, China, may be a potential strategy for regulating triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein. The potential for controlling triglycerides by regulating whole blood iron is more apparent. The result of the study has some implications for the prevention and diagnosis of dyslipidemia among medical staff and residents, especially male residents.