Positive correlation of serum HDL cholesterol with blood mercury concentration in metabolic syndrome Korean men (analysis of KNANES 2008-2010, 2013).
OBJECTIVE
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) is anti-inflammatory in the basal state and pro-inflammatory during the acute-phase response. Blood mercury also has an inflammatory property. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum HDLC and blood mercury concentration in relation with metabolic syndrome (MS).


METHODS
The data of 7616 subjects (3713 men and 3903 women), over 20 years of age, from 2008 to 2013, Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were selected for cross-sectional analyses. Correlation and regression of serum HDLC and blood mercury were initially done. We compared serum HDLC concentration according to blood mercury quartile after adjustment for relevant variables in subjects with MS.


RESULTS
Mean blood mercury concentrations is 5.6 and 3.9 μg/dL in men and women, respectively. Blood mercury concentration in MS subjects was positively correlated with serum HDLC concentration, especially in men. In addition, HDLC concentration was significantly higher according to the higher blood mercury quartile.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum HDLC was positively associated with blood mercury concentration in MS Korean men. Therefore, elevated blood mercury may be a factor to increase serum HDLC concentration in MS men.
Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
S J
SJ
Park
KunKuk University, Chung-ju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea.
K J
KJ
Yeum
Cha University, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
B
B
Choi
Cha University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
Y S
YS
Kim
Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. jchcmc@hanmail.net.
N S
NS
Joo
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000097:blood*; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D056910:Republic of Korea
D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008628:Mercury
HDL cholesterol; Mercury; Metabolic syndrome