Elevated iodine and selenium linked to pancreatic cancer while copper linked to acute pancreatitis.
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Key Takeaway
Note iodine and selenium linked to pancreatic cancer while copper, magnesium, manganese linked to acute pancreatitis.
This prospective cohort study utilized data from 191,875 UK Biobank participants with a median follow-up duration of 13 years. Researchers assessed the association between serum mineral levels including iodine, selenium, copper, magnesium, and manganese against pancreatic diseases. The analysis employed multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models to quantify risk associations.
Main results indicated significant carcinogenic effects for pancreatic cancer associated with elevated serum iodine and selenium levels. In contrast, copper, magnesium, and manganese demonstrated protective effects regarding acute pancreatitis. An attenuated association was observed for chronic pancreatitis with copper, magnesium, and manganese. A U-shaped dose-response relationship was noted specifically for manganese and acute pancreatitis.
Subgroup analyses revealed increased carcinogenicity for iodine and selenium in females, older individuals, and smokers. Protection against acute pancreatitis was more pronounced in males and normal-weight individuals for copper, magnesium, and manganese. The study did not report specific adverse events or discontinuation rates for mineral levels.
Key limitations include controversial pathophysiological associations between mineral imbalances and pancreatic diseases. Large-scale population studies validating these relationships are currently lacking. The etiological predominance of non-mineral mechanisms in chronic pancreatitis should not be overstated. Practice relevance suggests elevated iodine and selenium levels are modifiable risk factors, though causality is not established.
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View Original Abstract ↓
ObjectivePancreatic disorders are characterised by high mortality rates and limited therapeutic options and pose a global health challenge. As a dual-function organ with endocrine and exocrine roles, the pancreas exhibits a heightened sensitivity to the disruption of mineral homeostasis. However, the pathophysiological associations between mineral imbalances and pancreatic diseases remain controversial, and large-scale population studies validating these relationships are lacking.MethodsThis prospective cohort study used data from the UK Biobank and enrolled 191,875 participants with a median follow-up of 13 years. A phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) was used to systematically evaluate the associations between mineral levels and multisystem disorders. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models quantified risk associations, whereas restricted cubic spline analyses elucidated dose–response relationships.ResultsPheWAS identified multiple significant associations within the digestive system, including cholelithiasis, gastritis/duodenitis, and pancreatic diseases. Elevated serum iodine and selenium levels demonstrated significant carcinogenic effects on pancreatic cancer. In contrast, copper, magnesium, and manganese exhibited protective effects against acute pancreatitis, with manganese displaying a U-shaped dose–response relationship. Subgroup analyses revealed increased iodine and selenium carcinogenicity in females, older individuals, and smokers, whereas metal-related protection was more pronounced in males and normal-weight individuals.ConclusionMineral homeostasis exerts systemic effects on digestive pathophysiology. Elevated iodine and selenium levels are modifiable risk factors for pancreatic carcinogenesis, particularly in females and older populations. The inverse association of copper, magnesium, and manganese with acute pancreatitis suggests that they are potential therapeutic targets. The attenuated association in chronic pancreatitis implies an etiological predominance of non-mineral mechanisms.
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