Associations of pyrethroids exposure with skeletal muscle strength and mass

Abstract This study aimed to examine the associations of pyrethroids exposure with handgrip strength and skeletal muscle mass and potential modification effects in US adults. The data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2014 was used. Handgrip strength was determined with a handgrip dynamometer, and we quantified muscle mass by using the appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI). Urinary 3-Phenoxybenzoic Acid (3-PBA), a validated biomarker for pyrethroids exposure, was used in the primary analysis. After adjusting for other covariates, participants exposed to the highest tertile of 3-PBA exposure had significantly lower handgrip strength (β = –1.88, 95% CI: –3.29, –0.23, P = 0.026) than those exposed to the lowest tertile of 3-PBA. Similarly, the 3-PBA exposure was marginally significantly associated with ASMI (Tertile 3 vs. Tertile 1: β = -0.07, 95% CI: –0.14, –0.01, P = 0.056). Significant interactions were found between 3-PBA and body mass index (BMI) on handgrip strength and ASMI (P interaction < 0.05), which indicated a potential moderation effect of BMI on the associations. In conclusion, pyrethroids exposure was adversely associated with handgrip strength and skeletal muscle mass, especially in overweight and obese populations. Further studies are warranted to confirm our results and to explore the potential mechanisms.