Fatty Liver and Hepatic Function for Residents with Markedly High Serum PCDD/Fs Levels in Taiwan

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the associations between serum polychtorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) levels and adverse hepatic-related health outcomes. Residents living in the vicinity of a closed pentachlorophenol (PCP) manufacturing factory (exposure area) and other areas nearby (control area) were identified from prior investigation of serum PCDD/Fs measurements. A total of 85 subjects were recruited for the study, 52 from exposure area and 33 from control, respectively. Average level of serum PCDD/Fs was 80.1 6 50.9 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid for those residing in exposure area, and 25.5 6 18.2 in control area. Statistically higher odds ratio (ORs) for fatty liver and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity was found in subjects with higher serum PCDD/Fs levels and high body mass index (BMI) as compared to those with lower PCDD/Fs levels and less BMI. Data suggest that dioxin exposure and high lipid content affect the prevalence of fatty liver in exposed subjects. Future study should be directed to prevent continuous exposure to environmental PCDD/Fs from the defunct PCP factory, and to characterize prospectively, with a larger study sample size, the potential long-term consequences on hepatic function associated with contaminant exposure.

We are grateful for the patience and understanding of all participants in this study. The local city health bureau also provided much-needed assistance during sample collection and health examination in field work. We are also in great debt to our colleagues at the Research Center of Environmental Trace Toxic Substances, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, for sampling and analytical services. This study was supported by grants from Department of Health and Environmental Protection Administration of Executive Yuan, Taiwan, ROC.

Hsiu-ling Chen is currently an assistant professor at the Department of Industrial Safety and Health, Hung Kuang University.

Notes

^a Significant at p < .05.

^b Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

^c Chi-squared test.

^d Fisher's exact test.

^a 1, <25%: serum PCDD/Fs level <22.93 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid. 2, 25–50%: 22.93 ≤ serum PCDD/Fs level <40.89 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid. 3, 50–75%: 40.89 ≤ serum PCDD/Fs level <78.42 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid. 4, >75%: serum PCDD/Fs level ≥ 78.42 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid.

^b Significant from 70 to 100%, p < .05.

^c Chi-squared test for trend.

^d Kruskal–Wallis test.

^a 1, <25%: Age <43.63 yr old. 2, 25–50%: 43.63 ≤ Age <53.40 yr old. 3, 50–75%: 53.40 ≤ Age <61.48 yr old. 4, >75%: Age ≥ 61.48 yr old.

^b 1. <25%: BMI <22.85 kg/m². 2, 25–50%: 22.85 ≤BMI <25.22 kg/m². 3, 50–75%: 25.22 ≤ BMI <28.06 kg/m². 4, >75%: BMI ≥ 28.06 kg/m².

^c Significant from fatty liver, p < .05.

^d Chi-squared test for trend.

^e Fisher's exact test.

^f Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

^a Serum PCDD/Fs levels indicate: ≤median, ≤40.89 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid; > median, >40.89 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid.

^b BMI levels indicate: ≤median, ≤25.22 kg/m²; > median, >25.22 kg/m².

^c Adjusted for age, triglyceride levels, and alcohol consumption habit by multiple logistic regression.

^d Significant at p < .05.

^a GGT test: Normal: If the subjects were men, their GGT levels ranged between 11 and 50 U/L, and women ranged between 7 and 32 U/L. Abnormality: GGT levels lower than 11 and 7 U/L, and higher than 50 and 32 U/L, for men and women, respectively.

^b Serum PCDD/Fs levels indicate: ≤median, ≤40.89 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid; > median, >40.89 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid.

^c BMI levels indicate: ≤ median, ≤25.22 kg/m²; > median, >25.22 kg/m².

^d Adjusted for age, and alcohol consumption habit by multiple logistic regression.

^e Significant at p < .05.