Cross-sectional analysis of dyslipidemia risk in coal mine workers: from epidemiology to animal models

Abstract

To investigate the association between coal dust exposure and the occurrence of dyslipidemia in coal mine workers, and identify relevant risk factors. Methods: We selected a population who underwent occupational health examinations at Huainan Yangguang Xinkang Hospital from March 2020 to July 2022. Participants were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of dyslipidemia, and their baseline information was collected, including records of coal dust exposure. We employed single-factor analysis to identify risk factors for dyslipidemia and adjusted for confounding factors in the adjusted models. Additionally, we explored the effects in different populations using stratified analysis, smooth curve fitting, and propensity score matching. Finally, we confirmed the causal relationship between coal dust exposure and dyslipidemia by examining tissue sections and lipid-related indicators in a mouse model of coal dust exposure. Results A total of 5,657 workers were included in the study, among whom 924 individuals had dyslipidemia and 4,743 individuals did not have dyslipidemia. The results of the single-factor analysis revealed that dust exposure, age, BMI, blood pressure, and smoking were statistically significant risk factors for dyslipidemia (p < 0.05). Additionally, the three multivariate models, adjusted for different confounders, consistently showed a significant increase in the risk of dyslipidemia associated with coal dust exposure (Model 1: OR, 1.869; Model 2: OR, 1.863; Model 3: OR, 2.033). After conducting stratified analysis, this positive correlation remained significant. Furthermore, propensity score matching analysis revealed that with increasing years of work, the risk of dyslipidemia gradually increased, reaching 50% at 11 years. In the mouse model of coal dust exposure, significant coal dust deposition was observed in the lungs and livers of the mice, accompanied by elevated levels of total cholesterol (TC), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Conclusion Exposure to coal dust significantly increases the risk of developing dyslipidemia, and this positive correlation exists in different populations, particularly with increasing years of work, resulting in a higher risk.

Keywords: Dust; dyslipidemia; occupational health; risk factors cross-sectional study..

Fig. 1

Research hypothesis.

Fig. 2

Stratified analysis of the influence of coal dust exposure on dyslipidemia. Stratified analysis was carried out according to BMI (A), blood pressure (B), smoke (C), drink (D), exercise (E) and diet (F) to observe the risk of coal dust exposure and dyslipidemia.

Fig. 3

The influence probability of working years on the occurrence of dyslipidemia caused by coal dust exposure. A each black dot represents a sample. The ordinate 0.0 represents no dyslipidemia, 1.0 represents dyslipidemia, and the red dot represents the corresponding working years of each sample. B the solid red line represents the smooth curve fitting between variables, and the blue bar represents the 95% confidence interval of fitting.

Fig. 4

Observation of mouse tissue section and determination of blood lipid index. HE staining and polarizing results of mouse lung (a) and liver (b) tissue sections show that the white arrows are deposited coal particles.TC (C), ALT (D), AST (E), HDL-C (F) and LDL-C (G) were measured in control group, early coal dust exposure group (14 days) and late coal dust exposure group (28 days).