The risk of metabolic syndrome in relation to exposure to nickel; a cross-sectional study in Taiwan

Abstract

Background: Metabolic syndrome is a strong predictor for the risk of diabetes and therefore determinants of metabolic syndrome are also determinants of diabetes. Aims: The objective of the present study was to assess the relation between exposure to nickel and the risk of metabolic syndrome. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 801 residents recruited from two different residential areas in central Taiwan during 2008-2009. A total of 623 individuals were selected from two townships, Lonjing and Dadu, located in within the 15 Kilometers radius of a power plant. A total of 174 individuals with similar age and gender distribution, were selected from a reference residential area, township of Shihgang, located 32 kilometers away from the power plant and without any industrial pollution. Eligible subjects were locally registered residents who had lived in the selected areas for more than five consecutive years and were between 35 and 64 years old. The study population underwent an interview and a health examination, where blood and urine samples were collected. Plasma nickel concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Metabolic syndrome was defined as the presence of three or more of the following criteria: elevated systolic (?130 mmHg) or diastolic blood pressure (?85 mmHg), fasting plasma glucose (? 110 mg/dl) , and triglyceride concentration (?150 mg/dl), the body mass index (BMI?27 kg/m2 for men and 25 for women), and high-density lipoprotein below 40 mg/dl. Results: In logistic regression adjusting for age, gender, occupation and behavioral factors including cigarette smoking, the risk of metabolic syndrome was significantly related to plasma Ni with an odds ratio of 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01-1.09, p=0.02) per 1 ?g/l in plasma Ni. Conclusions: Metabolic complications appear to be associated with exposure to nickel.