Biochemical Study of the Risk of Diabetes, Prediabetic and Insulin Resistance in Car Painters and Its Association with Mercury Exposure: a Retrospective Case-control Study

Overview

Journal Toxicol Res (Camb)

Publisher Oxford University Press

Date 2024 Dec 23

PMID 39712637

Authors

Ahmad Tarik Numan

Nada Kadum Jawad

Hayder Adnan Fawzi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: There is controversy about the effect of mercury (Hg) exposure on developing diabetes and insulin resistance. This study aimed to assess the risk of diabetes and insulin resistance in car painters using biochemical markers and serum Hg levels.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study involving 210 male participants aged between 25 and 50 years. The participants were divided into two groups: Car painters for at least one year and healthy people who had not worked as car painters and had no health concerns or chronic diseases.

Results: The serum levels of Hg, MDA (malondialdehyde), interleukin (IL)-1β, visfatin, fasting insulin, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were evaluated. Serum Hg levels were significantly higher in car painters compared to the control group (19.00 ± 7.20 vs. 8.339 ± 3.916 μg/L, -value < 0.001). Serum levels of visfatin, MDA, insulin, FBG, and IL-1β were significantly higher in the car painter compared to the control (-value < 0.001). There was a significantly higher proportion of people with diabetes in car painters compared to control (8.6% vs. 0%) and higher prediabetic (30.5% vs. 13.3%, -value < 0.001). In car painter workers, levels of Hg were significantly higher in DM compared to prediabetic and normoglycemic car painter workers (27.01 ± 1.59, 23.98 ± 4.31, and 15.39 ± 6.41 μg/mL, respectively, -value < 0.001); additionally, levels of Hg were significantly higher car painter with insulin resistance compared to non-insulin resistance workers (21.18 ± 7.29 vs. 16.79 ± 16.7 μg/mL, -value < 0.001).

Conclusions: Increased serum Hg in car painters increases the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes/prediabetes status.

References

Durak R, Gulen Y, Kurudirek M, Kacal M, Capoglu I . Determination of trace element levels in human blood serum from patients with type II diabetes using WDXRF technique: a comparative study. J Xray Sci Technol. 2010; 18(2):111-20. DOI: 10.3233/XST-2010-0247. View

Shenker B, Guo T, O I, Shapiro I . Induction of apoptosis in human T-cells by methyl mercury: temporal relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and loss of reductive reserve. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1999; 157(1):23-35. DOI: 10.1006/taap.1999.8652. View

Moon S . Association of lead, mercury and cadmium with diabetes in the Korean population: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2009-2010. Diabet Med. 2013; 30(4):e143-8. DOI: 10.1111/dme.12103. View

Rotter I, Kosik-Bogacka D, Dolegowska B, Safranow K, Lubkowska A, Laszczynska M . Relationship between the concentrations of heavy metals and bioelements in aging men with metabolic syndrome. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2015; 12(4):3944-61. PMC: 4410226. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120403944. View

Gilbertson M, Brophy J . Community health profile of Windsor, Ontario, Canada: anatomy of a Great Lakes area of concern. Environ Health Perspect. 2001; 109 Suppl 6:827-43. PMC: 1240618. DOI: 10.1289/ehp.01109s6827. View

Dufault R, Berg Z, Crider R, Schnoll R, Wetsit L, Bulls W . Blood inorganic mercury is directly associated with glucose levels in the human population and may be linked to processed food intake. Integr Mol Med. 2021; 2(3). PMC: 8059611. DOI: 10.15761/imm.1000134. View

de Cassia da Silva C, Zambon M, Vasques A, Camilo D, Antonio M, Geloneze B . The threshold value for identifying insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in an admixed adolescent population: A hyperglycemic clamp validated study. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2022; 67(1):119-125. PMC: 9983787. DOI: 10.20945/2359-3997000000533. View

Ward M, Pim B . Trace element concentrations in blood plasma from diabetic patients and normal individuals. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2013; 6(6):469-87. DOI: 10.1007/BF02987202. View

Ji J, Jin M, Kang J, Lee S, Lee S, Kim S . Relationship between heavy metal exposure and type 2 diabetes: a large-scale retrospective cohort study using occupational health examinations. BMJ Open. 2021; 11(3):e039541. PMC: 7934714. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039541. View

10.

Faul F, Erdfelder E, Buchner A, Lang A . Statistical power analyses using G*Power 3.1: tests for correlation and regression analyses. Behav Res Methods. 2009; 41(4):1149-60. DOI: 10.3758/BRM.41.4.1149. View

11.

Chen Y, Huang C, Tsai K, Yang R, Yen C, Yang C . The role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling in low-dose mercury-induced mouse pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction in vitro and in vivo. Diabetes. 2006; 55(6):1614-24. DOI: 10.2337/db06-0029. View

12.

Pal S, Blais J, Robidoux M, Haman F, Krummel E, Seabert T . The association of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance/secretion with persistent organic pollutants in two First Nations communities in northern Ontario. Diabetes Metab. 2013; 39(6):497-504. DOI: 10.1016/j.diabet.2013.01.006. View

13.

Feng W, Cui X, Liu B, Liu C, Xiao Y, Lu W . Association of urinary metal profiles with altered glucose levels and diabetes risk: a population-based study in China. PLoS One. 2015; 10(4):e0123742. PMC: 4395404. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123742. View

14.

He K, Xun P, Liu K, Morris S, Reis J, Guallar E . Mercury exposure in young adulthood and incidence of diabetes later in life: the CARDIA Trace Element Study. Diabetes Care. 2013; 36(6):1584-9. PMC: 3661833. DOI: 10.2337/dc12-1842. View

15.

Skalnaya M, Demidov V . Hair trace element contents in women with obesity and type 2 diabetes. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2007; 21 Suppl 1:59-61. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2007.09.019. View

16.

Engvall E, Perlmann P . Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Elisa. 3. Quantitation of specific antibodies by enzyme-labeled anti-immunoglobulin in antigen-coated tubes. J Immunol. 1972; 109(1):129-35. View

17.

Chang J, Chen H, Su H, Liao P, Guo H, Lee C . Simultaneous exposure of non-diabetics to high levels of dioxins and mercury increases their risk of insulin resistance. J Hazard Mater. 2010; 185(2-3):749-55. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.09.084. View

18.

Kuo C, Moon K, Thayer K, Navas-Acien A . Environmental chemicals and type 2 diabetes: an updated systematic review of the epidemiologic evidence. Curr Diab Rep. 2013; 13(6):831-49. PMC: 4327889. DOI: 10.1007/s11892-013-0432-6. View

19.

Genchi G, Sinicropi M, Carocci A, Lauria G, Catalano A . Mercury Exposure and Heart Diseases. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017; 14(1). PMC: 5295325. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14010074. View

20.

Ghaedrahmat Z, Cheraghian B, Jaafarzadeh N, Takdastan A, Shahbazian H, Ahmadi M . Relationship between urinary heavy metals with metabolic syndrome and its components in population from Hoveyzeh cohort study: A case-control study in Iran. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2021; 66:126757. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2021.126757. View