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4647155 
Journal Article 
Decreased zinc and increased lead blood levels are associated with endometriosis in Asian women 
Lai, GL; Yeh, CC; Yeh, CY; Chen, RY; Fu, CL; Chen, CH; Tzeng, CR 
2017 
Yes 
Reproductive Toxicology
ISSN: 0890-6238
EISSN: 1873-1708 
74 
77-84 
English 
28889936 
WOS:000418315100009 
Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease associated with multiple pathogenic factors and studies regarding roles of trace metals in endometriosis have been inconsistent and limited. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the blood levels of miscellaneous trace metals measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in infertile women with and without endometriosis. Zinc level is associated with declining odds (adjusted OR=0.39, 95% CI=0.18-0.88) of endometriosis. By contrast, lead level is associated with increasing odds (adjusted OR=2.59, 95% CI=1.11-6.06) of endometriosis. The cadmium levels were higher in women with endometriosis, but the aOR was not significant. Zinc has anti-inflammatory characteristics and regulates homeostasis of zinc-containing superoxide dismutase. High lead levels might induce reactive oxygen species and deplete antioxidant defense mechanisms. Further prospective study is needed to test for their causal associations.