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Semi-Targeted Ultra-High-Performance Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Phenolic Metabolites in Plasma of Elderly Adults
Published on: April 22, 2022
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Cross-sectional associations between multiple plasma heavy metals and lung function among elderly Chinese
Junpu Yu1, Rongxuan Zhang2, Aimin Yang3
1School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Scientific Reports
|March 14, 2025
Summary
Environmental heavy metal exposure, including strontium, chromium, cobalt, and nickel, is linked to reduced lung function in Chinese elderly. This study highlights potential restrictive ventilatory dysfunction associated with these metals.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Gerontology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Environmental heavy metal exposure poses risks to lung function, especially in aging populations.
- Limited research exists on heavy metal impacts on lung function among Chinese elderly.
- Understanding these associations is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between plasma heavy metal levels and lung function in Chinese elderly residents.
- To identify specific metals and their combined effects on lung function indicators.
- To explore regional differences in metal exposure and their impact on respiratory health.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 308 elderly residents from industrial and non-industrial areas in northwest China.
- Analysis of 12 plasma metals, with identification of key metals (strontium, chromium, cobalt, nickel) using lasso regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR).
- Estimation of single and combined metal effects, including interactions, on lung function parameters (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC) using BKMR and quantile-g computation (QG-comp) models.
Main Results:
- Plasma levels of strontium (Sr), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni) were significantly associated with lung function in the Chinese elderly.
- Metal mixtures showed a positive association with FEV1/FVC and a negative association with FVC across all participants and in the non-industrial area subgroup.
- Higher heavy metal concentrations were observed in industrial areas, with Sr negatively impacting FVC despite lower concentrations in non-industrial areas.
Conclusions:
- Plasma Sr, Cr, Co, and Ni levels are significantly associated with lung function impairment in the Chinese elderly population.
- These heavy metals may contribute to restrictive ventilatory dysfunction.
- Findings underscore the importance of monitoring and mitigating heavy metal exposure in elderly populations to protect respiratory health.
