Investigating ethylene oxide exposure and its associations with kidney indicators and lipid profiles: the mediating effect of HDL in NHANES 2013-2020

IntroductionEthylene oxide (EO) exposure has been associated with various health conditions, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. However, its potential relationships with kidney function and lipid profiles require further investigation.MethodsThis study analyzed data from 3,500 US adults par...

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Main Authors: Yiheng Luo, Duo Xu, Weiyong Zhang, Kai Wang, Mingqin Kuang, Yueyang Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Physiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1523940/full
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author Yiheng Luo
Duo Xu
Weiyong Zhang
Kai Wang
Mingqin Kuang
Yueyang Liu
author_facet Yiheng Luo
Duo Xu
Weiyong Zhang
Kai Wang
Mingqin Kuang
Yueyang Liu
author_sort Yiheng Luo
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionEthylene oxide (EO) exposure has been associated with various health conditions, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. However, its potential relationships with kidney function and lipid profiles require further investigation.MethodsThis study analyzed data from 3,500 US adults participating in NHANES 2013–2020. EO exposure was assessed using hemoglobin adducts of EO (HbEO) as a biomarker. Associations with kidney and lipid parameters were evaluated using multivariate linear regression models. Mediation analysis was performed to explore the role of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in these associations.ResultsHigher HbEO levels were significantly associated with decreased albumin (Alb) (β = −0.79, 95% CI: −1.15, −0.43) and increased blood urea nitrogen in the second and third quartiles (Q2: (β = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.34, 1.24; Q3: (β = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.35, 1.27). Uric acid (UA) showed an inverse association with the highest quartile of HbEO (β = −0.23, 95% CI: −0.36, −0.09). Log10-transformed HbEO levels were negatively associated with Alb, UA, and the UA/serum creatinine ratio. Regarding lipids, no significant associations were found with triglycerides, total cholesterol, or LDL. However, EO exposure was negatively associated with HDL levels (β = −3.57, 95% CI: −5.18, −1.96). Mediation analysis revealed that HDL mediated 6.51% of the association between EO and Alb, 12.44% with UA (inverse), and 11.01% with urinary creatinine.DiscussionEO exposure is significantly associated with alterations in kidney function and HDL levels. HDL's mediating role suggests a potential mechanism linking EO to renal biomarkers, warranting further mechanistic investigation.
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spelling doaj-art-984ca6b8a34f4a708363ff088c54aa432025-08-20T02:22:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2025-05-011610.3389/fphys.2025.15239401523940Investigating ethylene oxide exposure and its associations with kidney indicators and lipid profiles: the mediating effect of HDL in NHANES 2013-2020Yiheng Luo0Duo Xu1Weiyong Zhang2Kai Wang3Mingqin Kuang4Yueyang Liu5The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaSchool of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Shenzhen TCM Anorectal Hospital (Futian), Shenzhen, ChinaThe First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Gynecology and Oncology, Ganzhou Cancer Hospital, Ganzhou, ChinaDepartment of Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaIntroductionEthylene oxide (EO) exposure has been associated with various health conditions, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. However, its potential relationships with kidney function and lipid profiles require further investigation.MethodsThis study analyzed data from 3,500 US adults participating in NHANES 2013–2020. EO exposure was assessed using hemoglobin adducts of EO (HbEO) as a biomarker. Associations with kidney and lipid parameters were evaluated using multivariate linear regression models. Mediation analysis was performed to explore the role of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in these associations.ResultsHigher HbEO levels were significantly associated with decreased albumin (Alb) (β = −0.79, 95% CI: −1.15, −0.43) and increased blood urea nitrogen in the second and third quartiles (Q2: (β = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.34, 1.24; Q3: (β = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.35, 1.27). Uric acid (UA) showed an inverse association with the highest quartile of HbEO (β = −0.23, 95% CI: −0.36, −0.09). Log10-transformed HbEO levels were negatively associated with Alb, UA, and the UA/serum creatinine ratio. Regarding lipids, no significant associations were found with triglycerides, total cholesterol, or LDL. However, EO exposure was negatively associated with HDL levels (β = −3.57, 95% CI: −5.18, −1.96). Mediation analysis revealed that HDL mediated 6.51% of the association between EO and Alb, 12.44% with UA (inverse), and 11.01% with urinary creatinine.DiscussionEO exposure is significantly associated with alterations in kidney function and HDL levels. HDL's mediating role suggests a potential mechanism linking EO to renal biomarkers, warranting further mechanistic investigation.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1523940/fullethylene oxidekidney parameterslipid profilesepidemiologynational health and nutrition examination survey
spellingShingle Yiheng Luo
Duo Xu
Weiyong Zhang
Kai Wang
Mingqin Kuang
Yueyang Liu
Investigating ethylene oxide exposure and its associations with kidney indicators and lipid profiles: the mediating effect of HDL in NHANES 2013-2020
Frontiers in Physiology
ethylene oxide
kidney parameters
lipid profiles
epidemiology
national health and nutrition examination survey
title Investigating ethylene oxide exposure and its associations with kidney indicators and lipid profiles: the mediating effect of HDL in NHANES 2013-2020
title_full Investigating ethylene oxide exposure and its associations with kidney indicators and lipid profiles: the mediating effect of HDL in NHANES 2013-2020
title_fullStr Investigating ethylene oxide exposure and its associations with kidney indicators and lipid profiles: the mediating effect of HDL in NHANES 2013-2020
title_full_unstemmed Investigating ethylene oxide exposure and its associations with kidney indicators and lipid profiles: the mediating effect of HDL in NHANES 2013-2020
title_short Investigating ethylene oxide exposure and its associations with kidney indicators and lipid profiles: the mediating effect of HDL in NHANES 2013-2020
title_sort investigating ethylene oxide exposure and its associations with kidney indicators and lipid profiles the mediating effect of hdl in nhanes 2013 2020
topic ethylene oxide
kidney parameters
lipid profiles
epidemiology
national health and nutrition examination survey
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1523940/full
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