Volatile organic compounds exposure associated with sarcopenia in US adults from NHANES 2011–2018
BackgroundVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emerging environmental pollutants linked to various health problems. However, the relationship between exposure to urinary volatile organic compound metabolites (mVOCs) and sarcopenia remains unclear.MethodsWe used data from the National Health and Nut...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| author | Pangbo Wang Pangbo Wang Pangbo Wang Wei Chen Hongwei Fang Liwei Xu Jun Zhao Jing Huang |
| author_facet | Pangbo Wang Pangbo Wang Pangbo Wang Wei Chen Hongwei Fang Liwei Xu Jun Zhao Jing Huang |
| author_sort | Pangbo Wang |
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| description | BackgroundVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emerging environmental pollutants linked to various health problems. However, the relationship between exposure to urinary volatile organic compound metabolites (mVOCs) and sarcopenia remains unclear.MethodsWe used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2011–2018) to assess the association between mVOCs and sarcopenia through multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression. We also employed Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression model, a high-dimensional statistical approach used to evaluate the joint effects of multiple exposures, and Bayesian Kernel Machine regression (BKMR) model, a combination of Bayesian and statistical learning methods, to assess the mixture effects of mVOCs on sarcopenia risk. These methods account for non-linearity, collinearity, and dimensionality in exposure data. Mediation analysis was used to identify metabolic, endocrine, and inflammatory mediators in these associations. Subgroup analyses were conducted by gender and age. Network pharmacology analysis was performed to identify potential pathways and targets.ResultsA total of 2,898 participants were included, with 145 (8%) diagnosed with sarcopenia. Logistic regression showed a positive correlation between mVOCs (3,4-MHA, ATCA, CEMA, CYMA, 2HPMA, 3HPMA, MHBMA3, and PGA) and sarcopenia. RCS results confirmed linear dose-response associations (P for overall <0.05, P for non-linear ≥0.05). Subgroup analysis indicated stronger associations in older participants. The WQS and BKMR models consistently showed a positive link between VOC exposure and sarcopenia. Mediation analysis identified alkaline phosphatase (ALP), white blood cell count (WBC), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and vitamin D as mediators. Network analysis revealed significant enrichment in the endocrine resistance pathway.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that co-exposure to VOCs is associated with increased sarcopenia risk, potentially through disruption of endocrine and inflammatory pathways, as indicated by elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP), white blood cell count (WBC), the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and reduced vitamin D levels, with enrichment observed in the endocrine resistance signaling pathway. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8762b60a2c6a4e748ba859c80481df6b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-8762b60a2c6a4e748ba859c80481df6b2025-08-20T03:50:40ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-07-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.16134351613435Volatile organic compounds exposure associated with sarcopenia in US adults from NHANES 2011–2018Pangbo Wang0Pangbo Wang1Pangbo Wang2Wei Chen3Hongwei Fang4Liwei Xu5Jun Zhao6Jing Huang7Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Chongqing, ChinaChongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, ChinaHand and Foot Microsurgery, NO. 946 Hospital of PLA Land Force, Yining, Xinjiang, ChinaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, NO. 946 Hospital of PLA Land Force, Yining, Xinjiang, ChinaTrauma Neurosurgery, NO. 946 Hospital of PLA Land Force, Yining, Xinjiang, ChinaHand and Foot Microsurgery, NO. 946 Hospital of PLA Land Force, Yining, Xinjiang, ChinaTrauma Neurosurgery, NO. 946 Hospital of PLA Land Force, Yining, Xinjiang, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing, ChinaBackgroundVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emerging environmental pollutants linked to various health problems. However, the relationship between exposure to urinary volatile organic compound metabolites (mVOCs) and sarcopenia remains unclear.MethodsWe used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2011–2018) to assess the association between mVOCs and sarcopenia through multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression. We also employed Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression model, a high-dimensional statistical approach used to evaluate the joint effects of multiple exposures, and Bayesian Kernel Machine regression (BKMR) model, a combination of Bayesian and statistical learning methods, to assess the mixture effects of mVOCs on sarcopenia risk. These methods account for non-linearity, collinearity, and dimensionality in exposure data. Mediation analysis was used to identify metabolic, endocrine, and inflammatory mediators in these associations. Subgroup analyses were conducted by gender and age. Network pharmacology analysis was performed to identify potential pathways and targets.ResultsA total of 2,898 participants were included, with 145 (8%) diagnosed with sarcopenia. Logistic regression showed a positive correlation between mVOCs (3,4-MHA, ATCA, CEMA, CYMA, 2HPMA, 3HPMA, MHBMA3, and PGA) and sarcopenia. RCS results confirmed linear dose-response associations (P for overall <0.05, P for non-linear ≥0.05). Subgroup analysis indicated stronger associations in older participants. The WQS and BKMR models consistently showed a positive link between VOC exposure and sarcopenia. Mediation analysis identified alkaline phosphatase (ALP), white blood cell count (WBC), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and vitamin D as mediators. Network analysis revealed significant enrichment in the endocrine resistance pathway.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that co-exposure to VOCs is associated with increased sarcopenia risk, potentially through disruption of endocrine and inflammatory pathways, as indicated by elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP), white blood cell count (WBC), the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and reduced vitamin D levels, with enrichment observed in the endocrine resistance signaling pathway.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1613435/fullvolatile organic compoundssarcopeniaweighted quantile sum regressionBayesian Kernel machine regressionnetwork pharmacology analysis |
| spellingShingle | Pangbo Wang Pangbo Wang Pangbo Wang Wei Chen Hongwei Fang Liwei Xu Jun Zhao Jing Huang Volatile organic compounds exposure associated with sarcopenia in US adults from NHANES 2011–2018 Frontiers in Public Health volatile organic compounds sarcopenia weighted quantile sum regression Bayesian Kernel machine regression network pharmacology analysis |
| title | Volatile organic compounds exposure associated with sarcopenia in US adults from NHANES 2011–2018 |
| title_full | Volatile organic compounds exposure associated with sarcopenia in US adults from NHANES 2011–2018 |
| title_fullStr | Volatile organic compounds exposure associated with sarcopenia in US adults from NHANES 2011–2018 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Volatile organic compounds exposure associated with sarcopenia in US adults from NHANES 2011–2018 |
| title_short | Volatile organic compounds exposure associated with sarcopenia in US adults from NHANES 2011–2018 |
| title_sort | volatile organic compounds exposure associated with sarcopenia in us adults from nhanes 2011 2018 |
| topic | volatile organic compounds sarcopenia weighted quantile sum regression Bayesian Kernel machine regression network pharmacology analysis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1613435/full |
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