Association of twenty-three plasma elements with fasting serum glucose among Chinese population from four areas with different pollution level

Abstract Background Association between fasting serum glucose (FSG) and certain mineral elements has been extensively reported. Investigation regarding multi-element exposure among subjects with different exposure level is warranted to confirm the association and further explore dose-dependent relationship. Methods A total of 3488 participants were recruited from four counties of Hunan province, South China. Basic characteristics were collected by face to face interview and 23 elements in plasma were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We applied fully adjusted generalized linear regression model and multivariable restricted cubic spline function to test the association and dose-response relationship of FSG with 23 elements. Results The results indicated that FSG was positively associated with plasma78selenium level [regression coefficient (β), 0.001; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 0.001, 0.001] in a dose-dependent manner, robust to the adjustment for suspected covariates and stratification by age, gender, BMI and smoking status. A negative association was found between FSG and plasma 208lead (β, -0.004; 95 % CI, -0.016, -0.002), 52chromium (β, -0.002; 95 % CI, -0.004, -0.001) and 47titanium (β, -0.001; 95 % CI, -0.002, -0.001). Conclusion 78selenium was positively while 208lead, 52chromium and 47titanium were negatively associated with FSG in the present study. However, prospective studies are needed to confirm the results.