Air Pollution and Lipometabolic Disturbance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background: Growing evidence suggests that long-term exposure to air pollutants is associated with cardiovascular morbidity, including lipometabolic disturbance. Objectives: To explore the chronic effects of air pollutants on lipametabolic disturbance via detectable lipoprotein parameters. Methods: Seven online databases were searched to conduct a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies examining the relationship between air pollution and lipid parameter levels. Subgroup analysis was additionally carried out for each air pollutant studied. Results: A total of 2,274 records were retrieved, resulting in 10 studies included in the final quantitative meta-analysis, comprising seven studies in Europe and the United States and three studies in mainland China. Using a random-effect model, the results showed that for each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C levels and metabolic syndrome (MetS) incidence increased by 3.31% (95% CI: 2.29%, 8.91%), 2.34% (95% CI: 1.30%, 3.39%)，-1.57% (95% CI: -1.85%, -1.28%), and 4.33% (95% CI: 2.69%, 5.98%), respectively; for each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM10, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels increased by 5.27% (95% CI: 2.03%, 8.50%), -0.24% (95% CI: -0.95%, -0.47%), and 0.45% (95% CI: -0.57%, 1.47%), respectively; for each 10 μg/m3 increase in NO2, TG and HDL-C levels increased by 4.18% (95% CI: 1.12%, 7.23%) and -0.51% (95% CI: -2.61%, 1.58%), respectively. No significant associations were detected for combinations of air pollutants on lipometabolic disturbance. Conclusion: Increased air pollutant exposure was significantly associated with changes in blood lipid parameter levels, which can be an indicator of the body9s lipometabolic disturbance.