Association between heavy metal exposure and liver function markers among Korean adults: Korean National Environmental Health Survey 2015 - 2017

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Heavy metals are widespread in nature and are reported to be association with adverse health effect including decreased liver function. While, only a few studies have been conducted to examine the association between exposure to heavy metals and liver function in the general population.This study aimed to investigate the association between concentrations of heavy metals and decrease of liver function in the Korean adults. METHODS: We included 3,699 participants who aged ≥ 19 years from the Cycle 3 of KoNEHS (Korean National Environmental Health Survey 2015 – 2017). Multiple linear regression was performed to assess the association between the levels of heavy metals [Blood lead level (BLL); Urinary Cadmium Level (UCL); Blood Mercury Level (BML); Urinary Mercury Level (UML)] and liver function markers [AST (Aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (Alanine aminotransferase), GGT (Gamma glutamyl transferase)] after adjusting for covariates. RESULTS:For the BLL quartile, the participants in the highest quartile had 1.042 (95% CI 1.012-1.072) times higher AST and 1.098 (95% CI 1.032-1.169) times higher GGT compared to those in the lowest quartile, respectively. For the UCL quartile, the participants in the highest quartile had 1.093 (95% CI 1.034-1.157) times higher ALT and 1.074 (95% CI 1.007-1.145) times higher GGT compared to those in the lowest quartile, respectively. For the BML quartile, the participants in the highest quartile had 1.044 (95% CI 1.016-1.073) times higher AST and 1.119 (95% CI 1.074-1.165) times higher ALT and 1.184 (95%CI 1.112-1.260) times higher GGT compared to those in the lowest quartile, respectively. There was no significant difference in the UML. CONCLUSIONS:This study investigated the association between exposure to lead, cadmium and mercury and liver function marker. Our results suggest that heavy metal exposures may affect liver function decrease. To elucidate the potential effect of heavy metal exposure, further studies should be performed. KEYWORDS: AST (Aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (Alanine aminotransferase), GGT (Gamma glutamyl transferase) Lead, Cadmium, Mercury