Department of Built Environment, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA.
Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA.
Med Sci (Basel). 2024 Oct 2;12(4):51. doi: 10.3390/medsci12040051.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading cause of mortality worldwide, influenced by genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. This study examines the relationship between heavy metal exposure, chronic physiological stress (allostatic load), and lipid profiles, which are markers of CVD risk, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018.
We utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore the associations between blood levels of lead, cadmium, allostatic load (AL), and lipid measures (low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides). The AL index was derived from cardiovascular, inflammatory, and metabolic biomarkers and categorized into quartiles to identify high-risk individuals, with an index out of 10 subsequently developed.
The SEM analysis revealed that both heavy metal exposure and allostatic load are significantly associated with lipid profiles. Higher levels of lead and cadmium were associated with increased LDL and triglycerides, while higher AL scores were linked to increased LDL and triglycerides and decreased HDL levels. Age was also a significant factor, showing positive correlations with LDL and triglycerides, and a negative correlation with HDL.
This study underscores the multifactorial nature of CVD, highlighting the combined impact of environmental pollutants and physiological stress on lipid dysregulation. These findings suggest the need for integrated public health strategies that address both environmental exposures and chronic stress to mitigate cardiovascular risk. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted interventions.
心血管疾病 (CVD) 是全球范围内主要的致死原因，受到遗传、环境和行为因素的影响。本研究利用 2017-2018 年国家健康和营养检查调查 (NHANES) 的数据，考察了重金属暴露、慢性生理应激 (适应性负荷) 和脂质谱之间的关系，脂质谱是 CVD 风险的标志物。
我们利用结构方程模型 (SEM) 来探讨血液中铅、镉、适应性负荷 (AL) 和脂质指标 (低密度脂蛋白 (LDL)、高密度脂蛋白 (HDL) 和甘油三酯) 之间的关联。AL 指数是由心血管、炎症和代谢生物标志物得出的，并分为四分位数以识别高危个体，随后开发了一个 10 分制的指数。
SEM 分析表明，重金属暴露和适应性负荷都与脂质谱显著相关。较高的铅和镉水平与 LDL 和甘油三酯的增加有关，而较高的 AL 评分与 LDL 和甘油三酯的增加以及 HDL 水平的降低有关。年龄也是一个重要因素，与 LDL 和甘油三酯呈正相关，与 HDL 呈负相关。
本研究强调了 CVD 的多因素性质，突出了环境污染物和生理应激对脂质失调的综合影响。这些发现表明需要采取综合的公共卫生策略来解决环境暴露和慢性应激问题，以降低心血管风险。需要进一步研究来探索潜在的机制并开发有针对性的干预措施。
