Association between ethylene oxide exposure and serum sex hormone in adult males: the mediating role of serum albumin
摘要
Ethylene oxide (EO) is an organic compound with carcinogenic toxicity. However, no relevant studies have explored the association between EO exposure and serum sex hormone levels. This study evaluated whether log2-hemoglobin EO (log2-HbEO) correlate with serum sex hormone levels in adult males.
MethodsData were collected from 2013 to 2014 and 2015–2016 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database. log2-HbEO was divided into continuous and categorical variables (Q1-4). Weighted multiple linear regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS), and subgroup analysis were performed to assess the association between log2-HbEO and serum sex hormone levels. Mediation analysis was performed to evaluate whether blood parameters mediated the effect of log2-HbEO on serum sex hormone levels.
ResultsA total of 1,394 adult males were included in this study. Weighted multiple linear regression found that continuous log2-HbEO were associated with higher total testosterone (TT) in the male group (β = 10.89, 95%CI = 0.71, 21.07). RCS analysis demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between continuous log2-HbEO and male serum sex hormone, including TT and Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) (P for nonlinear < 0.05). Subgroup analysis further found that log2-HbEO were associated with higher TT in men aged 40–49 and BMI < 25. Compared to Q1 group, Q2/3 group log2-HbEO with a lower estradiol (E2). Mediation analysis suggested that serum albumin could mediate up to 8% of the association between log2-HbEO and male SHBG (P < 0.05).
ConclusionThe present study found that EO exposure was associated with abnormal male sex hormone including TT, E2, and SHBG. Serum albumin may mediate the effect of log2-HbEO on SHBG.