Metabolic syndrome prevalence in Mexican individuals exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their association with an increased risk of cardiovascular events

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are an organic chemical family produced during incomplete combustion of organic materials. Besides, PAHs are associated with different detrimental health effects. Therefore, this research was aimed to assess the association between PAHs exposure, metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence, and cardiovascular risk in a Mexican population. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) was the exposure biomarker quantified. MetS prevalence was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Also, we used the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) as a cardiovascular risk biomarker. The mean urinary 1-OHP level quantified was 2.50 ± 1.25 µmol/mol creatinine. The MetS prevalence found was 35% (<i>n</i> = 222) and 31% (<i>n</i> = 197) using NCEP ATP III and IDF criteria, respectively. The mean AIP value was 0.32 ± 0.15. Furthermore, the data analysis showed robust associations between PAH exposure (urinary 1-OHP concentrations), MetS prevalence, and cardiovascular risk (AIP). The real significance of the findings in this study needs to be clarified completely, as MetS and cardiovascular diseases represent a critical challenge in contaminated zones of developing countries such as Mexico.