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Lead exposure, dietary magnesium and glucose homeostasis in Chinese adults
Author(s) -
Mendez Michelle A.,
Liu Liping,
Du Shufa,
Wang Huijun
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.447.7
Subject(s) - interquartile range , medicine , body mass index , diabetes mellitus , glucose homeostasis , national health and nutrition examination survey , endocrinology , glycemic , insulin resistance , population , environmental health
Background There is mounting evidence that pollutants, including toxic metals, contribute to the global epidemic of diabetes. Along with laboratory data suggesting that lead (Pb) exposure may disrupt insulin secretion and promote glucose intolerance, a handful of epidemiological studies have reported associations between Pb and poor glucose homeostasis. A growing literature also suggests that nutrients such as dietary magnesium (Mg)—an essential metal critical for insulin action—may delay the progression of impaired glucose regulation. Our aim was to evaluate whether this beneficial dietary metal may help to reduce the impaired glucose regulation associated with toxic metals such as Pb. Methods We used a subsample of more than 4000 adults aged 18–65y who provided fasting serum and toenail samples in the 2009 wave of the China Health and Nutrition Survey. We measured Pb concentrations in toenail samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP‐MS), and measured fasting glucose using colorimetric assay methods. Dietary Mg intake was estimated from three days or 24‐h dietary recalls. We estimated the association between toenail Pb concentrations and fasting glucose levels using multivariable linear regression adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, waist circumference, physical activity, urbanicity, education level, toenail arsenic and selenium, and intakes of energy, meat and rice. Interactions with dietary Mg were examined using tertiles of intake. Results The median (interquartile range) toenail Pb concentration was 1.15 (1.45) mg/kg, and the mean (SD) Mg intake was 296 (107) mg/dL. The mean fasting serum glucose level was 95.8 (24.7) mg/dL. After multivariable adjustment, among individuals in the lowest tertile of dietary Mg, there was a significant increase in fasting glucose associated with a 1‐unit increase in log‐transformed toenail Pb (β±SE 0.64±0.27 mg/dL, P<0.05). However, among individuals in the highest intake tertile, toenail Pb was associated with a non‐significant reduction in fasting glucose (β±SE −0.34±0.28 mg/dL NS; interaction P<0.05). Conclusion Findings suggest that exposure to Pb may promote impaired glucose homeostasis, and that dietary Mg may help to reduce the diabetogenic effects of Pb exposure. Further research is needed to determine whether essential metals such as Mg may help to mitigate the risk of diabetes associated with toxic metals such as Pb. Support or Funding Information This research uses data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)(R01‐HD30880). We also are grateful to the Carolina Population Center (R24 HD050924) for general support.