Uncovering the Potential Link Between Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Comprehensive Analysis

Background: A family of persistent organic pollutants, known as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are extensively found in the environment and may be harmful to the cardiovascular system. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are required to thoroughly evaluate the association between PCB exposure and cardiovascular disease (CVDs), despite the fact that studies on the subject have produced inconsistent results. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between PCBs exposure and cardiovascular disease risk in order to provide more conclusive data to promote public health actions. Methods: The studies that met the inclusion criteria were screened out using the databases PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library. The comprehensive effect size (OR) was calculated using the random-effects model; the study’s heterogeneity was analyzed using I2 statistics; the major reasons of heterogeneity were identified using subgroup analysis; and publication bias graphically was measured using the Egger’s test. Results: A meta-analysis of 11 studies revealed that total PCBs (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.20–1.75), non-dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs) (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.15–1.53), and dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs) (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.10–1.57) were all found to be positively associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease. Subgroup analysis revealed that study type, biomaterials, and literature quality were the most significant drivers of variation. Furthermore, certain PCB homologues, such as non-dioxin-like (NDL)-PCB153 and dioxin-like (DL)-PCB118, are highly related with cardiovascular disease. Conclusions: According to this meta-analysis, exposure to PCBs may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Notwithstanding major drawbacks, our results emphasize the significance of lowering exposure to PCBs and offering a solid theoretical basis for public health initiatives.