J Obes Metab Syndr.  2017 Sep;26(3):197-203. 10.7570/jomes.2017.26.3.197.

The Cut-off Value of Blood Mercury Concentration in Relation to Insulin Resistance

• Lee SH
• Choi B
• Park SJ
• Kim YS
• Joo NS

• KMID: 2392945
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7570/jomes.2017.26.3.197

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Increased blood mercury concentration is associated with inflammation, and chronic inflammation can cause insulin resistance. We examined the cut-off value of blood mercury in relation to an increased score on the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).
METHODS
We used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2010). Relevant data from 5,184 subjects (2,523 men and 2,661 women) were analyzed cross-sectionally. General linear analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between HOMA-IR score and blood mercury concentration. In addition, we determined the cut-off value of blood mercury concentration in relation to increased HOMA-IR score (> 2.34) using an ROC curve.
RESULTS
The mean value of blood mercury concentration in men and women was 5.88 µg/L and 4.11 µg/L, respectively. In men, comparing to the first quartile, HOMA-IR score increased significantly in the third and fourth blood mercury quartiles. In women, however, the increase in HOMA-IR score was not significant. The cut-off value that best represented the association between increased HOMA-IR score and blood mercury concentration in men was found to be 4.71 µg/L.
CONCLUSION
Blood mercury concentration was associated with increased HOMA-IR score in men, and the cut-off value of blood mercury concentration that was correlated with increased HOMA-IR score was around 4.71 µg/L.

Keyword

Mercury; HOMA-IR; Insulin resistance; Cut-off value; Diabetes

MeSH Terms

Female
Homeostasis
Humans
Inflammation
Insulin Resistance*
Insulin*
Male
Nutrition Surveys
ROC Curve
Insulin