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Long-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter and liver enzymes in adults: a cross-sectional study in Taiwan.
- Source :
- Occupational & Environmental Medicine; Jul2019, Vol. 76 Issue 7, p488-494, 7p, 1 Diagram, 3 Charts, 1 Graph
- Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- <bold>Objectives: </bold>Animal experiments indicate that exposure to particulate matter (PM) can induce hepatotoxic effects but epidemiological evidence is scarce. We aimed to investigate the associations between long-term exposure to PM air pollution and liver enzymes, which are biomarkers widely used for liver function assessment.<bold>Methods: </bold>A cross-sectional analysis was performed among 351 852 adult participants (mean age: 40.1 years) who participated in a standard medical screening programme in Taiwan. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels were measured. A satellite-based spatio-temporal model was used to estimate the concentrations of ambient fine particles (PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm, PM2.5) at each participant's address. Linear and logistic regression models were used to investigate the associations between PM2.5 and the liver enzymes with adjustment for a wide range of potential confounders.<bold>Results: </bold>After adjustment for confounders, every 10 µg/m3 increment in 2-year average PM2.5 concentration was associated with 0.02%(95% CI: -0.04% to 0.08%), 0.61% (95% CI: 0.51% to 0.70%) and 1.60% (95% CI: 1.50% to 1.70%) increases in AST, ALT and GGT levels, respectively. Consistently, the odds ratios of having elevated liver enzymes (>40 IU/L) per 10 µg/m3 PM2.5 increment were 1.06 (95% CI: 1.04 to 1.09), 1.09 (95% CI: 1.07 to 1.10) and 1.09 (95% CI: 1.07 to 1.11) for AST, ALT and GGT, respectively.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Long-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with increased levels of liver enzymes, especially ALT and GGT. More studies are needed to confirm our findings and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 13510711
- Volume :
- 76
- Issue :
- 7
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Occupational & Environmental Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 137048443
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2019-105695