Association Between Serum Trace Heavy Metals and Liver Function Among Adolescents

Abstract

Background Exposure to metals has been associated with liver-related disease. Few studies have explored the effect of sex stratification on adolescent liver function. Method From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011–2016), 1143 subjects aged 12–19 years were selected for analysis. The outcome variables were the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. Results The results showed a positive association between serum zinc and ALT in boys (odds ratio [OR], 2.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11–5.06). Serum mercury was associated with an increase in ALT level in girls (OR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.14–6.57). Mechanistically, the efficacy mediated by total cholesterol accounted for 24.38% and 6.19% of the association between serum zinc and ALT. Conclusions The results imply that serum heavy metals were associated with the risk of liver injury, possibly mediated by serum cholesterol, in adolescents.