TY - JOUR
T1 - Multiple metals predict prolactin and thyrotropin (TSH) levels in men
AU - Meeker, John D.
AU - Rossano, Mary G.
AU - Protas, Bridget
AU - Diamond, Michael P.
AU - Puscheck, Elizabeth
AU - Daly, Douglas
AU - Paneth, Nigel
AU - Wirth, Julia J.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by grant ES11856 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH). JDM supported by a Young Clinical Scientist Award from the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute.
PY - 2009/10
Y1 - 2009/10
N2 - Exposure to a number of metals can affect neuroendocrine and thyroid signaling, which can result in adverse effects on development, behavior, metabolism, reproduction, and other functions. The present study assessed the relationship between metal concentrations in blood and serum prolactin (PRL) and thyrotropin (TSH) levels, markers of dopaminergic, and thyroid function, respectively, among men participating in a study of environmental influences on male reproductive health. Blood samples from 219 men were analyzed for concentrations of 11 metals and serum levels of PRL and TSH. In multiple linear regression models adjusted for age, BMI and smoking, PRL was inversely associated with arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc, but positively associated with chromium. Several of these associations (Cd, Pb, Mo) are consistent with limited studies in humans or animals, and a number of the relationships (Cr, Cu, Pb, Mo) remained when additionally considering multiple metals in the model. Lead and copper were associated with non-monotonic decrease in TSH, while arsenic was associated with a dose-dependent increase in TSH. For arsenic these findings were consistent with recent experimental studies where arsenic inhibited enzymes involved in thyroid hormone synthesis and signaling. More research is needed for a better understanding of the role of metals in neuroendocrine and thyroid function and related health implications.
AB - Exposure to a number of metals can affect neuroendocrine and thyroid signaling, which can result in adverse effects on development, behavior, metabolism, reproduction, and other functions. The present study assessed the relationship between metal concentrations in blood and serum prolactin (PRL) and thyrotropin (TSH) levels, markers of dopaminergic, and thyroid function, respectively, among men participating in a study of environmental influences on male reproductive health. Blood samples from 219 men were analyzed for concentrations of 11 metals and serum levels of PRL and TSH. In multiple linear regression models adjusted for age, BMI and smoking, PRL was inversely associated with arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc, but positively associated with chromium. Several of these associations (Cd, Pb, Mo) are consistent with limited studies in humans or animals, and a number of the relationships (Cr, Cu, Pb, Mo) remained when additionally considering multiple metals in the model. Lead and copper were associated with non-monotonic decrease in TSH, while arsenic was associated with a dose-dependent increase in TSH. For arsenic these findings were consistent with recent experimental studies where arsenic inhibited enzymes involved in thyroid hormone synthesis and signaling. More research is needed for a better understanding of the role of metals in neuroendocrine and thyroid function and related health implications.
KW - Endocrine
KW - Epidemiology
KW - Exposure
KW - Human
KW - Male
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U2 - 10.1016/j.envres.2009.06.004
DO - 10.1016/j.envres.2009.06.004
M3 - Article
C2 - 19595304
AN - SCOPUS:69849109617
SN - 0013-9351
VL - 109
SP - 869
EP - 873
JO - Environmental Research
JF - Environmental Research
IS - 7
ER -