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Mercury exposure increased risk for diabetes later in life
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Recent data suggest that young adults with a high exposure to mercury may have an elevated risk for developing diabetes later in life.
Using data from the ongoing Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, researchers analyzed a prospective cohort of 3,875 American adults (aged 20 to 32 years). Patients without diabetes at baseline were included and followed six times from 1987 to 2005. Study data indicate baseline toenail mercury levels were measured with instrumental neutron-activation analysis. Incident diabetes was identified by plasma glucose levels, oral glucose tolerance test, HbA1c levels, and/or diabetes medications.
According to data, 288 incident cases of diabetes occurred during 18 years of follow-up. In multivariate analyses (adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, study center, education, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, family history of diabetes, intakes of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium and toenail selenium), toenail mercury levels were positively associated with the incidence of diabetes. The fully adjusted HR for incident diabetes comparing patients in the highest to the lowest quintiles of mercury exposure was 1.65 (95% CI, 1.07-2.56), researchers wrote.
“Higher mercury exposure was associated with elevated fasting glucose and insulin levels, increased [homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance], and decreased HOMA beta-cell function index, but only the association with HOMA beta-cell function index showed a significant linear trend,” the researchers wrote.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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