(P17-015-25) Correlation Between Essential Trace Elements and Blood Pressure Among Residents of the Qinling-Daba Mountain Region of Shaanxi Province, China

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the content, distribution characteristics of key trace elements in the hair of residents in the Qinba mountainous area of China, and their effects on blood pressure.

Methods: Blood pressure, hair samples, and demographic, disease, and lifestyle data were collected from 336 residents in the Qinba region. Hair trace elements (iron, copper, zinc, selenium, manganese, molybdenum) were analyzed using ICP-MS. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS 26.0 and R 4.0. Chi-square and t-tests assessed baseline differences, while the Mann-Whitney U test compared trace element levels between hypertensive and non-hypertensive groups. Logistic regression evaluated the link between trace elements and hypertension risk. Restricted Cubic Splines (RCS) examined nonlinear relationships, and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) assessed mixed trace element exposure effects. Pearson correlation analyzed metal correlations, and principal component analysis identified key trace elements linked to hypertension.

Results: This study included 336 participants (151 males, 185 females), with 199 (59.23%) diagnosed with hypertension. Hair iron levels were significantly higher in the hypertension group, as were manganese levels, while Zinc levels were lower (P < 0.05). Logistic regression revealed that the highest quartiles of iron and manganese were associated with higher hypertension risk. Higher zinc content correlated with a decrease in systolic blood pressure (β = -0.124, 95% CI: -13.978 to -0.033). RCS showed dose-response relationships between manganese, zinc, and systolic blood pressure, and between selenium, manganese, and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.05). Bayesian kernel regression identified iron and selenium as having the most significant joint effects. Principal component analysis indicated that the first component (manganese, molybdenum, iron) was positively correlated with hypertension risk, while the second (zinc) was negatively correlated.

Conclusions: Iron and manganese increase the risk of hypertension, whereas zinc decreases it. Combined exposure to iron, manganese, and molybdenum elevates hypertension risk.

Funding Sources: The funding came from the Subject Innovation Team at Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine.